Africa-Press – Liberia. If passed, the legislation will create the Liberia National Sports Fund Authority (LNSFA), a statutory agency charged with managing sustainable, transparent financial support for sports programs nationwide.
Monrovia – Senator Jonathan Boy Charles Sogbie of River Gee County has introduced a comprehensive bill to establish a national sports funding authority aimed at overhauling the country’s approach to sports development.
The bill, titled “An Act to Establish the Liberia National Sports Fund Authority for Sole: Sponsorship of Sporting Development and Activities in the Republic of Liberia,” was submitted to the Senate on February 18, 2025, and formally read before plenary on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
It is now under review by the Committees on Youth and Sports, Ways and Means, and Judiciary.
If passed, the legislation will create the Liberia National Sports Fund Authority (LNSFA), a statutory agency charged with managing sustainable, transparent financial support for sports programs nationwide.
The bill proposes a 2% levy on luxury items such as imported vehicles, cosmetics, footwear, and apparel to serve as the primary revenue stream for the fund. Additional funding would come from government allocations, international grants, and private donations.
“This is about securing the future of Liberian sports,” Senator Sogbie, a former international footballer, said during a recent session. “We can’t continue to beg for support every time a national team needs to travel. Our athletes deserve more.”
Years of neglect have left Liberia’s sports federations in a state of frustration. Unpaid allowances, abandoned training programs, and lack of resources have repeatedly disrupted the participation of national teams in international tournaments.
The Liberia Basketball Federation, Liberia Volleyball Association, and Liberia Football Association have all issued statements in recent years demanding more government attention and funding. In one example, Liberia’s Senior Women’s National Football Team missed the 2023 qualifiers due to lack of financial support.
“This bill is long overdue,” said a senior official from the Liberia Basketball Federation who asked not to be named. “We are constantly scouting players with no equipment and limited logistics. This fund could be a game-changer.”
The legislation also includes provisions for infrastructure development, calling for the construction of four multipurpose sports stadiums in River Gee, Bong, Bomi, and Grand Bassa counties. These facilities are intended to support a variety of sports and serve as hubs for community-based training and youth engagement.
Oversight of the fund would be handled by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from various sporting bodies. The Minister of Youth and Sports would serve as chairperson, with the President of the Liberia Football Association as co-chair. A Director General appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate would manage day-to-day operations.
Transparency is a key component of the proposal. All disbursements would be subject to public reporting, and board decisions would require majority approval. While sports advocates and youth groups have welcomed the initiative, some civil society organizations have urged the inclusion of stricter anti-corruption safeguards.
“We have seen beautiful laws get passed before, but implementation is always the problem,” said Timothy Weah, a Liberian football supporter. “We want timelines, benchmarks, and external audits to ensure accountability.”
The bill faces potential challenges, particularly over the proposed levies. With inflation already placing economic pressure on ordinary Liberians, some senators have expressed concerns over introducing new taxes.
Despite the skepticism, many in the sports sector view the bill as a critical step forward. Emmanuel Surprise Whea, President of the Liberia Kickball Federation, urged swift passage of the legislation, citing the urgent conditions under which athletes currently train.
“Our girls are training on gravel fields while others compete on turf,” Whea said. “We hope this bill is not just another promise. We need action now.”
If enacted, the proposed Liberia National Sports Fund Authority would represent the most significant legislative intervention in the country’s sports sector since the post-war reconstruction period. For now, advocates await the outcome of committee reviews and further debate in plenary.
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