The highly anticipated National County Sports Meet (NCSM) will officially begin on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County. This annual competition, which has been a fixture of Liberia’s sporting calendar since its inception in the 1950s, symbolizes national unity and reconciliation.
At the opening ceremony, Liberia’s Chief Patron of Sports, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, will take the ceremonial kickoff to mark the start of the month-long event. This tradition underscores the President’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and sports development in the country.
In an interview with Verity Newspaper, Oxford Brown, Communications Director at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the 2024/2025 edition, confirmed that all preparations for the event have been finalized. He revealed that four venues—Robertsport (Grand Cape Mount), Gbarnga (Bong), Zwedru (Grand Gedeh), and Greenville (Sinoe)—are ready to host matches in three sports: football, kickball, and basketball.
The NCSM was established as a platform to foster unity among Liberians, showcasing the talents of the nation’s youth while transcending political, religious, and ethnic divides. Over the years, the event has grown into Liberia’s most significant sporting competition, celebrated with great enthusiasm and pride. The theme for this year’s edition, “Inclusive Development Through Sports,” highlights the role of athletics in promoting national cohesion and developing young talent.
Brown also shared details of new incentives introduced this year, including cash prizes for the “Player of the Match” in each game. These awards will increase as the competition progresses, motivating players to perform best.
He emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and discipline, urging players and technical staff to uphold the tournament’s integrity. “Let’s continue to see this tournament as a way to reunite and reconcile despite our political, religious, and tribal differences,” Brown stated. “We must also take care of our sporting facilities and strictly follow the game’s rules.”
The participating counties have been grouped as follows:
Group A: Bong, Grand Bassa, Maryland, and Bomi
Group B: Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Margibi, and Montserrado
Group C: Sinoe, Rivercess, Lofa, and Gbarpolu
Group D: Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, and River Gee
The preliminary rounds will conclude on January 18, 2025. Defending champions River Gee and Rivercess will compete to retain their titles in football and kickball, respectively.
As the tournament draws near, anticipation is building among fans, teams, and players eager to showcase their skills and support their counties. The NCSM is more than just a sporting event; it is a celebration of Liberia’s cultural diversity and an opportunity to unite the nation through the power of sport.
All eyes will be on Robertsport this Sunday as President Boakai inaugurates what promises to be a thrilling and historic edition of the National County Sports Meet.
