Monrovia – Edwin Fahnbulleh, father of Liberian sprinter Joseph Fahnbulleh, is calling on the Liberia Athletic Federation (LAF), led by President Mulbah Zaza, to introduce track and field programs in junior and senior high schools across Liberia. He believes such initiatives would help young athletes develop their skills early and prepare for future competitions.
By Macaulay Sombai, [email protected]
Joseph Fahnbulleh, who represented Liberia in the 100m and 200m events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is one of the nation’s most promising track athletes. His father argues that by incorporating track and field into school sports programs, Liberia can nurture more talent to compete at both local and international levels.
Mr. Fahnbulleh, who previously served as Chairman of the Liberia Basketball Association’s 2024 National League, emphasized that LAF can revitalize athletics in Liberia by creating structured programs in schools and communities. He cited the success of the Inter-School Sports Association (ISSA) league, where football players are scouted and recruited based on their performances, as a model that could be applied to track and field.
“If LAF introduces track and field across Liberia’s 15 counties, it will help identify talented athletes and properly prepare them for future competitions. This will bring pride to the country and its people,” he said.
He further stressed that most successful sports programs worldwide started in schools and communities before gaining national recognition. He urged LAF officials to collaborate with school sports administrators to integrate track and field into school activities, ensuring that young athletes get the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“I am calling on LAF officials to introduce athletics in junior and senior high schools and communities. Just as many young people are passionate about football, basketball, and kickball, others have a strong interest in track and field. They need a platform in their schools to display their skills and attract attention from athletic clubs for proper training,” he concluded.
