Africa-Press – Liberia. The allocation marks almost a 100 percent increase from last year’s US$550,000, signaling what appears to be a renewed commitment by the Boakai-Koung administration to invest in sports. But history, as always, tells a different story.
Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has proposed a massive US$1,074,058 for national football in its 2026 draft national budget, a leap that has left many sports stakeholders both hopeful and skeptical.
The allocation marks almost a 100 percent increase from last year’s US$550,000, signaling what appears to be a renewed commitment by the Boakai-Koung administration to invest in sports. But history, as always, tells a different story.
A Pattern of Cuts, Protests, and Promises
In 2024, the ministry came under heavy public criticism after its initial draft budget for football showed a jaw-dropping drop from US$150,000 to just US$50,000. The backlash on social media was swift and unforgiving. Critics accused the ministry of neglect and incompetence, forcing lawmakers to eventually revise the figure upward to US$550,000 before the budget’s passage.
Even then, insiders within the Ministry say the full amount was never fully disbursed.
“We get numbers on paper every year, but when it comes to actual cash, it’s always a different story,” one senior staffer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told FrontPage Africa.
This pattern of high allocations in the draft, followed by delayed or partial releases, has become a recurring nightmare for Liberia’s sporting programs. Many in the sector now view budget announcements with a mix of hope and suspicion.
Grassroots and Basketball: Still Playing Catch-Up
Beyond football, grassroots sports development also sees a minor increase from US$1,230 to US$3,739 within a US$1.2 billion national draft budget. But for a country of over five million people, analysts say the figure is barely enough to fund a single nationwide youth tournament.
“Grassroots sports is where future stars are made. Yet every year, it’s treated like a side project,” lamented a sports promoter.
The Liberia Basketball Federation is also expected to benefit from a jump from US$5,000 in 2025 to US$22,720 in 2026, a welcome relief for a federation that has struggled to send teams to international competitions due to lack of funds.
Accountability Questions Linger
While the figures sound impressive, the real issue, experts say, lies in accountability and execution. Past audits by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) have repeatedly flagged the Ministry of Youth and Sports for poor financial management and lack of transparency in project implementation.
According to budget analysts, the Ministry often fails to report on actual spending, with several allocations for sports programs either untraceable or diverted to administrative costs.
Hope or Hype?
The Ministry has yet to publicly justify the steep increase, nor has it outlined how the US$1 million will be allocated whether toward player welfare, infrastructure, or international competitions.
As the 2026 budget hearings approach, lawmakers are expected to press the Ministry for details. Many observers are calling for performance-based allocations, where funding is tied to tangible results and transparent reporting.
For now, sports lovers can only wait and watch. Whether this million-dollar promise marks a real turning point or just another budgetary mirage remains to be seen.
Amputee Team: The Unsung Heroes
One of the brightest spots in Liberia’s sporting story is the Amputee National Football Team, which has also received a notable increase — from US$5,000 to US$25,000 in the 2026 draft budget.
They deserve every penny, and perhaps even more. Over the past few years, Liberia’s Amputee team has quietly built one of the most inspiring success stories in African sports overcoming odds, lack of funding, and limited support to bring glory to the nation.
The team will represent Liberia at the 2026 Amputee World Cup, marking their second consecutive appearance at the global tournament. They earned their qualification after a remarkable victory over host nation Egypt at the Amputee African Cup of Nations (AFCON), booking their spot alongside six other African countries. Liberia finished among the top six performing teams out of 24 at the last edition.
In 2021, they narrowly lost to Ghana in the AFCON final, and in the 2022 World Cup, they placed 17th overall, defeating Spain, Ireland, and France in the process.
Despite these achievements, the team continues to operate on a shoestring budget, often relying on goodwill and public appeals to fund travel and accommodation. Their story is one of resilience proof that Liberia’s sports sector can thrive if properly supported.
The Amputee national team have done too much and deserve to be celebrated for their efforts, and there’s one team that truly represents the spirit of Liberia, it’s the Amputees.
With the 2026 budget now under review, the spotlight is once again on the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Whether these proposed figures turn into real support or remain, another round of paper promises will determine the future of Liberian sports and the hopes of those who play, coach, and dream under its banner.
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