MONROVIA– The Liberian Senate has passed a landmark bill aimed at creating the National Sports Fund Authority, a semi-autonomous agency designed to regulate and manage long-term financing for sports development across the nation.
By: Christopher C Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
The proposed legislation, titled “An Act to Create the National Sports Fund Authority,” was endorsed by the Senate on Wednesday, July 23, following a strong recommendation from its Committee on Youth and Sports.
The move is being hailed by sports stakeholders as a potential game-changer for Liberia’s often-struggling sports sector, which has faced challenges including irregular funding, poor infrastructure, and limited institutional support.
Senator Jonathan Boye-Charles Sogbie of River Gee County, a former national football star and the bill’s lead sponsor, emphasized the authority’s importance in establishing a “reliable, transparent, and sustainable funding pipeline” for Liberian sports.
“We cannot continue to rely on handouts and unpredictable government allocations,” Senator Sogbie told reporters. “This authority will ensure we have a consistent, structured mechanism to invest in our young athletes, our stadiums, and our local competitions.”
Funding Strategy and Revenue Sources
According to the bill, the National Sports Fund Authority will operate with a blended funding strategy. Revenue sources are expected to include levies on sports-related goods and services, direct budgetary support from the Liberian government, grants from international development partners, and contributions or donations from the private sector. The legislation also proposes modest taxes on supporting materials and equipment tied to sports, designed to gradually build the Fund’s revenue.
Once operational, the Authority would be responsible for planning, disbursing, and monitoring funds specifically allocated for infrastructure development, athlete training, national teams, and youth sporting programs.
A Long-Awaited Reform
Liberia has historically lacked a dedicated framework for sports financing, with national teams, including the Lone Star, often relying on sporadic government interventions or last-minute private donations. A 2018 investigative report by FrontPage Africa, for instance, revealed millions of Liberian dollars funneled into national football activities with minimal financial reporting, leading to calls for stronger institutional oversight. That same year, logistical shortfalls due to funding gaps nearly jeopardized Liberia’s participation in regional tournaments.
Senator Sogbie believes the passage of this bill puts the country on a path to significant reform. “If we want to be taken seriously in international competitions, we must invest with vision and discipline. This Authority will help us do just that,” he stated.
The legislation now awaits concurrence from the House of Representatives. If passed by the lower chamber and subsequently assented to by the President, the National Sports Fund Authority would become the first centralized, statutory body tasked with managing all public and donor funds designated for Liberian sports.
Sports stakeholders across Liberia have consistently called for a more structured and sustainable funding approach to develop competitive programs in football, athletics, basketball, and other disciplines. If enacted, the National Sports Fund Authority could mark a transformative shift in Liberia’s investment in its sporting future.
