The Liberian Senate has endorsed a report from its Committee on Sports recommending the passage of a bill to formally establish the National County Sports Meet as a legally recognized program for entertainment and development.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Jonathan Boychild Sogbie, seeks to provide a clear legal framework for the organization, funding, hosting, infrastructure development, and post-tournament management of the long-running county sports tournament.
Under the proposed law, hosting rights for the National County Sports Meet will rotate among all counties through a public lottery conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports at least two years in advance. A county that hosts the tournament will only become eligible again after all other counties have had the opportunity to host.
The bill places strong emphasis on infrastructure development. It mandates the government to construct or rehabilitate sporting facilities, low-cost housing, guesthouses, and essential services, including roads, water supply, sanitation, and electricity, in host counties.
Upon completion of the tournament, all facilities will be turned over to the host county. These assets may be used for community activities, security services, health and educational purposes, while revenues generated will support facility maintenance, youth programs, and local development initiatives.
Funding for the National County Sports Meet will be sourced from national budgetary allocations, private sector sponsorships, and revenues generated from the event. Following Senate approval, the bill will now be forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
