MONROVIA – The Liberia National Handball Association has announced the departure of a six-member Liberian handball delegation to France for an elite high-performance sports training program aimed at strengthening the country’s technical and youth development capacity in handball.
The delegation, organized through the Office of the Vice President for Operations of the Liberia National Handball Association, is expected to participate in a specialized development program at the prestigious Pays d’Aix Université Club Hand-Ball Academy in Aix-en-Provence, France, from May 24 to June 9, 2026.
According to the LNHA, the initiative forms part of the broader “Liberia Academy” sports development partnership designed to expose Liberian athletes and coaches to advanced international training methods, technical development, and professional sporting standards.
Technical Staff, Young Players Selected
The Liberian delegation includes both technical officials and promising young players selected for the international exposure program.
The delegation comprises:
- Alioune Kebe, Roving Ambassador for Youth and Sports Development in Liberia;
- James P. Keller, National Coach;
- Taylor Zwannah, National Coach;
- Abraham Roberts;
- Angel Whornee;
- and Agnès Dorley.
Officials say the young players were selected based on their talent and future potential to contribute to the growth of handball in Liberia.
Delegation to Transit Through Ivory Coast
To complete the final phase of Schengen visa processing, the delegation will first travel by road to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for appointments at the French Embassy before proceeding onward to France.
The training invitation was officially extended by PAUC Academy Director Didier de Samie, who indicated that the program will involve specialized coaching sessions, technical exchanges, and elite-level sports development activities at the Arena du Pays d’Aix.
Under the bilateral arrangement, PAUC Academy will provide technical organization and access to training facilities, while the Professional Sports Academy will reportedly cover international flights, accommodation, regional transit, feeding, and travel insurance for the delegation.
LNHA Describes Trip as Major Milestone
Vice President for Operations of the Liberia National Handball Association, Samuel A. Hasay, described the initiative as a major breakthrough for the development of handball in Liberia.
“This international trip marks a major milestone for the advancement of our national youth athletes and technical staff,” Hasay stated.
“We have finalized all logistics to ensure a successful transit through Côte d’Ivoire for visa issuance and onward travel to France. The LNHA remains committed to utilizing authentic elite European partnerships to structurally upgrade the standard of handball in Liberia,” he added.
Boost for Sports Development
Sports observers say the international training initiative represents an important opportunity for Liberia’s handball sector, which has struggled over the years with limited infrastructure, funding, and international exposure.
The France-based program is expected to expose Liberian coaches and athletes to modern techniques in player development, tactical systems, conditioning, and professional sports management.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts within Liberia’s sporting sector to strengthen youth development programs and create international opportunities for young athletes.
Officials hope the experience gained during the training program will contribute to improving the competitiveness of Liberian handball both regionally and internationally.
The Liberia National Handball Association says it remains committed to building stronger international partnerships capable of helping transform the sport and develop future generations of Liberian athletes.
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