MONROVIA – The Liberia National Handball Association (LNHA) has issued an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to expedite the processing of travel funding for the National Under-18 and Under-20 teams ahead of a critical international assignment.
By: Christopher C. Walker | 0777898224 / 0886723075 | [email protected]
The national teams are scheduled to depart Monrovia on April 5 for Lomé, Togo, to represent Liberia in the IHF Trophy Africa Zone III Tournament.
However, despite the LNHA submitting all required documentation for review, the final financial allotment remains pending.
With only days remaining before the scheduled departure, the Association warned that further administrative delays could jeopardize Liberia’s participation, which is a blow to the country’s youth sports development agenda.
“Our players have undergone months of intensive preparation for this opportunity to represent Liberia on the international stage,” the LNHA said in a statement signed by its president J. Aratus G. Larkpor.
“Missing this tournament would not only be heartbreaking for these young athletes but could also undermine the progress being made in developing handball in Liberia.”
Beyond the immediate disappointment for the athletes, the Association emphasized that failing to honor the scheduled participation could carry serious consequences.
The consequences according to the LNHA include potential financial penalties and the risk of a multi-year suspension from international competitions by the sport’s global governing body.
The LNHA maintains that it has fulfilled all the requirements and is now waiting on the government to act.
“We have fulfilled all requirements by submitting the necessary paperwork in a timely manner,” the LNHA added. “We are now pleading with the Ministry of Finance to fast-track this process before the April 5 deadline. Time is of the essence.”
The statement, signed by LNHA President J. Aratus G. Larkpor, expressed optimism that the Ministry will act swiftly to ensure Liberia’s presence at the regional championship and avoid negative repercussions for the national handball program.
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