Africa-Press – Liberia. ArcelorMittal Liberia and the Liberia Marathon Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for financial sponsorship of the annual Liberia Marathon. The agreement, signed on Tuesday at ArcelorMittal Liberia’s offices in Monrovia, will run for three years. Under the deal, ArcelorMittal will contribute more than US $30,000 each year as a grand sponsor of the race.
The signing of the MOU further cements the company’s relationship with the Liberia Marathon Trust and fosters stronger collaboration in promoting athletics in the country.
Marcus Wleh, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations, explained that the sponsorship agreement was a continuation of many years of partnership between the company and the Liberia Marathon Trust.
“We are committing ourselves for three years to the marathon as a proud and prime sponsor,” Wleh said.
“We think this is good, and we look forward to hosting a very successful event once you have given us the date and time for the marathon. Also, beyond this, we are seeing how we can support activities in our three counties—Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba.”
Mr. Wleh also confirmed that many staff members of ArcelorMittal Liberia, including himself, will participate in this year’s marathon. He emphasized that the company is “happy to be a part of this very important venture.”
The Liberia Marathon Trust, a registered NGO that has organized marathon races since 2011, welcomed the agreement. Its Board Chairman, Charles Cooper, praised ArcelorMittal Liberia for its longstanding support.
“We are really happy to be signing this MOU, which is a three-year sponsorship commitment,” Cooper stated.
“What this means is that now we can start early in the year to support the athletes, promote the marathon, and reach out to more of our international partners. Giving them advance notice will enable them to fly in early for the marathon.”
He described ArcelorMittal Liberia’s sponsorship as a “substantial commitment” that will help the marathon grow, adding: “We really appreciate this.”
The Liberia Marathon Trust Board Chairman also announced the theme for this year’s marathon: “Healthy Cities and Healthy Lives.”
ArcelorMittal Liberia has been an active supporter of sports development in the country, with its most notable involvement in the National County Sports Meet, Liberia’s largest sporting festival.
In 2022, the company served as the primary sponsor of the tournament, contributing US$ 275,000 —the largest single sponsorship in the event’s history. Of this amount, US$250,000 was directed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the organization of the games, while Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties—where the company operates—received targeted allocations. Observers described the move as a significant moment in the growth of corporate contributions to Liberian sports.
The sponsorship continued into the 2023–2024 edition, when ArcelorMittal contributed between US$ 80,000 and US$ 125,000, despite operational challenges. The funding supported the organization of the tournament, county-level preparations, and incentives for winning teams. Beyond the County Meet, the company has also provided smaller awards to grassroots teams, including River Gee and Rivercess counties, under its youth development initiatives.
The County Meet has long been regarded as a national platform for unity and reconciliation, and ArcelorMittal’s sustained sponsorship has played a crucial role in ensuring its continuity and growth. Analysts note that this form of corporate support reflects a broader trend of private sector involvement in national events that promote social development.
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