MONROVIA – The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) has announced sweeping changes to Liberia’s biggest sporting festival, the National County Sports Meet, triggering a growing debate and sharp criticism from sports stakeholders across the country.
By Christopher C. Walker [email protected] | 0777898224
Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah disclosed that beginning this year, the annual tournament will shift from its traditional December–January schedule to a new November–December calendar.
According to Minister Kruah, the adjustment is intended to maximize the festive season by attracting more Liberians returning home from the diaspora during the holidays, while simultaneously boosting attendance and economic activities around the tournament.
The Ministry also announced that the County Meet will transition to a cashless system, introducing digital payment methods aimed at improving transparency and operational efficiency during the competition.
While the announcement has been welcomed by some as a necessary step toward modernization, it has generated stiff opposition from several sports figures and county stakeholders who argue that the changes were introduced unilaterally without broad consultation.
Among those criticizing the move is sports journalist Rufus D. Mulbah, who publicly urged Minister Kruah to reconsider the decision.
Mulbah argued that the new November–December schedule directly clashes with the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar and could prevent many high school students from participating in the county-level stages of the competition.
“The decision to move the County Meet to November–December is, in my opinion, a poor one,” Mulbah wrote, pointing out the academic strain it puts on student-athletes.
Mulbah also criticized the reported decision to bar First and Second Division players from participating in the tournament, describing the restriction as harmful to the quality and visibility of local football talent.
He emphasized that the County Meet remains Liberia’s most-watched sporting event and serves as the country’s biggest platform for showcasing local players to international scouts.
Instead of imposing a complete ban, Mulbah suggested that the Ministry should implement a quota system limiting the number of top-flight players allowed per county, while also considering age-based eligibility rules.
He warned that fans may no longer witness exciting talents such as Richmond Bleah, Ralph Weah, Melvin Wesseh, Augustine Mulbah, and Darious Mulbah at future editions of the tournament under the proposed rules.
Also weighing in on the controversy, the former president of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), Kolubah Zayzay, accused the Ministry of top-down decision-making without adequately consulting the individual counties.
Zayzay described the move as “a total disrespect to the counties and sports stakeholders,” warning that the changes could undermine the original purpose of the County Meet as a grassroots unity and development platform.
He further criticized the Ministry for what he described as insufficient engagement with county sports steering committees and other national sporting bodies before executing major overhauls.
Meanwhile, suspended Grand Bassa county official Philip Kangar has formally expressed concern over the proposed changes in an official communication addressed to Minister Kruah.
Kangar argued that counties invest heavily into the County Meet, with some reportedly spending between US80,000 and US120,000 on preparations, despite receiving only US$15,000 in subsidies from the central government through the Ministry.
According to him, major decisions surrounding the tournament’s structure must involve broader consultations with county steering committees, the Liberia Football Association (LFA), the Liberia Kickball Federation (LKF), and the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA).
Kangar also warned that the proposed calendar could overlap with the LFA national league season, potentially affecting referees, match commissioners, and players, while disrupting the organization of both competitions.
He further reiterated concerns that student-athletes could face severe academic difficulties if intensive county preparations begin during active school months.
“The County Meet is a significant event that requires collaboration,” Kangar stated, urging the Ministry to halt the timing adjustment.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has yet to publicly respond to the growing concerns raised by sports journalists, county officials, and other stakeholders as the debate intensifies over the future direction of Liberia’s premier sporting festival.
In response to the concern by Liberians the Youth and Sports Minister said the Ministry is cognizant of the academic schedule of Liberia and prioritizes education of young people.
The adjusted schedule (November-December) will not clash with instructional time affecting possible players who may be active students.
More information of the schedule and zones will be announced by the PR Committee of the NCSM Steering Committee subsequently.
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