Liberia’s absence from the competition has been described as a major setback for the development of young female athletes in the sport.
MONROVIA – Liberia’s U-17 and U-19 female handball teams were unable to participate in the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Youth and Junior Championship in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, due to a lack of funding from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
By: A. Macaulay Sombai ([email protected]
The tournament, which kicked off on Sunday, April 20, 2025, runs through April 24 and features youth teams from across the region.
Liberia’s absence from the competition has been described as a major setback for the development of young female athletes in the sport.
J. Aratus G. Larkpor, President of the Liberia National Handball Association (LNHA), told FrontPage Africa that the Ministry was informed of the tournament as far back as December 2024.
According to Larkpor, the Ministry gave the green light for the teams to begin preparation but failed to provide financial support when it mattered most.
“Two days to our departure, we were informed by the Ministry that there was no money available to sponsor our participation,” Larkpor said. “Our athletes trained for months, and now they’re left frustrated and demoralized.”
He emphasized that the situation not only robbed the players of international exposure but also undermined efforts to grow the sport in Liberia. Larkpor called on the government to prioritize funding for all national teams, especially youth programs, to ensure Liberia is represented at future international competitions.
