Liberia: SWAL Urges Lawmakers to Support Sogbie’s Vision for National Sports Fund Authority

Monrovia – The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) has thrown its full support behind Senator Jonathan BoyCharles Sogbie’s push to establish a National Sports Fund Authority, describing the bill as a visionary step toward sustainable sports development in Liberia.

Senator Sogbie, a former standout striker for the national team, the Lonestar, and football giant Invincible Eleven (IE), introduced the bill earlier this week. It aims to create a structured, long-term funding mechanism to develop and strengthen Liberia’s sports sector, with particular emphasis on youth programs, infrastructure, talent development, and international competitiveness.

In a statement issued Thursday, June 5,2025 and signed by SWAL Secretary-General Edwin T.K. Dolo, the association praised the River Gee County lawmaker’s continued dedication to national sports, long after his days on the pitch.

“The submission of this bill demonstrates Senator Sogbie’s unwavering commitment to the growth of sports in Liberia,” SWAL stated. “This is a farsighted initiative that, if passed and implemented effectively, could transform the country’s entire sporting landscape.”

SWAL called on both chambers of the National Legislature to support the bill, urging lawmakers especially those with sports backgrounds to champion its swift passage. The association named Representatives Edwin Melvin Snowe and Musa Hassan Bility, both former Presidents of the Liberia Football Association, as critical voices who can help move the legislation forward.

While applauding the initiative, SWAL also called for careful scrutiny of the bill to ensure it fully addresses the multifaceted needs of Liberia’s sports sector.

“We believe that while raising funds is crucial, the authority must be more than just a financing tool,” the statement noted. “It must be designed to promote robust governance, athlete development, infrastructure improvement, and national participation across all levels of sport.”

As the bill proceeds to committee review and floor debates, stakeholders from across the Liberian sports community are expected to join the conversation. For many, the legislation represents not only hope for a better-organized sporting structure but also a pathway to national pride and international success.

SWAL’s statement ends with a rallying call for unity and bold legislative action: “Let us not miss this opportunity to lay a foundation that could uplift generations of Liberian athletes and position our country as a sporting force in the region.”