-Ngafuan Champions Kickball as Liberia’s National Sport, Pledges Stronger Government Support for Sports Development
MONROVIA, Liberia – Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has called for kickball to be officially recognized, protected, and promoted as one of Liberia’s most valuable national sporting assets, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to increasing investment in sports development across the country.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) Awards, Minister Ngafuan described kickball as a uniquely Liberian innovation that deserves both national protection and international recognition.
According to him, Liberia risks losing ownership of a sport that has become deeply woven into the country’s cultural and sporting identity if deliberate efforts are not made to preserve and market it.
“We all grew up believing kickball was played everywhere in the world, only to later discover that it is a Liberian innovation,” Ngafuan said. “We must protect it, or risk losing ownership of something that belongs to us.”
The Finance Minister urged sports authorities, policymakers, and development partners to work with the Liberia Tourism Authority and other relevant institutions to brand kickball as a distinctly Liberian product capable of attracting international attention.
“We need to market and promote kickball as a national treasure,” he emphasized. “This is something uniquely Liberian, and we should be proud of it.”
Government Commits to Supporting Sports Growth
Ngafuan assured stakeholders that the government remains committed to supporting sports development despite competing demands from other critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, and energy.
He pledged to explore avenues for mobilizing additional resources to strengthen sports infrastructure, athlete development programs, and national sporting initiatives.
“Whatever resources are required to promote this sport and support sports development generally, we will work to find them,” he stated.
The Minister noted that the current national budget contains one of the largest allocations ever made to the sports sector and promised to continue advocating for increased investment in future budgets.
According to him, sports should not be viewed merely as recreation but as an important component of national development capable of creating opportunities for young people and contributing to social cohesion.
World Cup Dream Within Reach
Turning to football, Liberia’s most popular sport, Ngafuan expressed optimism that the country can one day qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Although Liberia has never reached the global football showpiece, the Minister said the dream remains attainable if sustained investments are made in youth development, infrastructure, coaching, and talent identification.
“That dream is achievable,” he declared. “We can work toward the day when Liberians gather in stadiums, homes, and viewing centers across the country to watch our national team compete at the FIFA World Cup.”
Liberia’s Lone Star has come close to qualifying for major international tournaments on several occasions but has yet to secure a historic World Cup berth.
Ngafuan said continued support for football and other sporting disciplines is essential if Liberia is to compete successfully on the continental and global stage.
Sports as a Tool for National Unity
The Finance Minister also highlighted the unifying power of sports, describing it as one of the few sectors capable of bringing Liberians together regardless of political, ethnic, religious, or social differences.
“Sports is a unifier,” he said. “When Liberia wins, everyone celebrates. Sports gives hope to our young people and helps build a stronger nation.”
He stressed that sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, job creation, social inclusion, and national pride.
At a time when Liberia continues to grapple with high youth unemployment and other socioeconomic challenges, Ngafuan argued that greater investment in sports can help unlock opportunities for thousands of young people across the country.
Tribute to Sports Journalists
The Minister used the occasion to pay tribute to sports journalists for their role in promoting sports development and inspiring future generations.
He noted that sports reporters often underestimate the impact of their work, even though their reporting shapes public discourse, highlights achievements, and motivates young athletes.
“Sports journalists may think their work is ordinary, but many young people look up to them as role models,” he said. “Through your reporting, you are shaping minds, inspiring future generations, and contributing to national development.”
Ngafuan also pledged continued support for professional development opportunities within the media sector, particularly for journalists specializing in sports coverage.
Celebrating Excellence
As the event drew to a close, the Finance Minister congratulated all award recipients while encouraging those who were not honored to remain committed to excellence.
“Those who received awards should not rest on their achievements, and those who did not win should remain focused and continue striving for excellence,” he advised. “Excellence must always be our standard.”
The 2nd SWAL Awards brought together journalists, athletes, sports administrators, government officials, and development partners to celebrate outstanding achievements in sports journalism and recognize individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth of sports in Liberia.
The ceremony served as both a celebration of excellence and a renewed call for stronger investment in sports as a catalyst for national development, youth empowerment, and international recognition.
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