Monrovia – ArcelorMittal Liberia has stepped in to support the Ministry of Youth and Sports in sponsoring the upcoming National County Sports Meet, the country’s largest sporting festival, scheduled to kick off this weekend on December 16 in River Gee County.
By: Christopher C.Walker [email protected] 0777898224/0886723075
Ahead of the official commencement, the long-time sponsor of the National County Meet, ArcelorMittal Liberia, presented a cash sponsorship of eighty thousand United States dollars to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, for the month-long sporting festival.
During the presentation ceremony at ArcelorMittal’s office in Monrovia, Marcus Wleh, Head of Sustainability and External Relations of ArcelorMittal Liberia, disclosed that the total sponsorship package is $125,000 USD. He mentioned that $80,000 will be given to the organizers, who will, in turn, share it with the various counties.
As part of the company’s contribution, defending football champions Nimba County received $15,000 USD, while Bong and Grand Bassa Counties were given $10,000 each, in line with ArcelorMittal’s assistance to the three counties where they operate.
Mr. Wleh further revealed that an additional $10,000 USD will be given to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to distribute among the various champions at the end of the tournament, which concludes on January 14.
Wleh expressed ArcelorMittal’s happiness in supporting this year’s edition of the National County Sports Meet, emphasizing the added value it brings to the ongoing process of promoting peace and unity in Liberia after the recent elections.
He stated that sports, in their view, is a tool that serves as a united front.
Samuel Stevqouah, Head of Corporate Services of ArcelorMittal Liberia, presented the cheque to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, reaffirming the company’s longstanding support for the National County Sports Meet. He stressed that the decision to support the event is rooted in the need for Liberians to come together as one during the County Meet.
Deputy Minister of Sports, G. Andy Quamie, who received the cheque, emphasized the importance of the County Meet in uniting the country after a challenging election. He highlighted that, during the County Meet at the SKD Sports Complex, political affiliations are set aside, and citizens unite behind their counties.
Quamie congratulated ArcelorMittal for becoming the headline sponsor and pledged to promote the company at all game venues in the counties and at the SKD Sports Complex for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and grand final.
Minister Quamie encouraged ArcelorMittal to continue supporting the new government in promoting the National County Sports Meet.
Speaking on behalf of the counties, Bong County Senator-Elect Johnny Kpeh thanked ArcelorMittal for their support to the county meet and Bong County. He emphasized that sports is a unifying force for the county, expressing hope that other companies will follow suit to further develop sports in the region.