On July 10, 2024, the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) expressed significant frustration over the allocations made in the 2024 national budget for sports development, particularly targeting football. The association criticized the disappointing amount of funding for various sports, especially given that two prominent former presidents of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Musa H. Bility and Edwin M. Snowe, who currently serve as a representative and senator, respectively, had signed off on the budget. This critique follows the realization that, despite the presence of noted sporting figures in the legislature, football and other sports were receiving inadequate financial support, leading SWAL to label the budgetary provisions as a mockery of Liberia’s potential in sports.
In the national budget previewed for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a total of over US$7 million was allocated; however, only US$150,000 was designated for the national football team and the National County Sports Meet (NCSM). This allocation raised eyebrows, especially when compared to the meager funds allotted to other sports organizations: just US$258 for the Liberia Table Tennis Association and a mere US$3,691 for Up Country Basketball. Grassroots Sports Development received only US$1,230, while the Liberia Chess Federation received the same amount. The SWAL press release highlighted that allocations for volleyball and track and field were pitifully low at US$246 each, illustrating a troubling trend of underfunding in sectors deemed crucial for youth engagement and national pride.
The National Amputee Team, celebrated as Africa’s triple champions, was allocated a disappointing US$3,400, demonstrating the government’s inconsistency in acknowledging and supporting athletes who have proven their mettle on larger platforms. Further investigation into the allocations revealed that basketball, a sport increasingly popular in Liberia, received only US$1,230, while the Inter School Sports Association garnered an even smaller amount of US$492. Overall, SWAL’s assessment depicted the total sports budget as one of the low-point allocations in recent history, falling woefully short of addressing the financial needs of various sports disciplines in the country.
In light of these allocations, SWAL raised critical questions about how lawmakers—many of whom are passionate about sports—could consent to such minimal funding for significant sports like basketball while approving a subsidized US$150,000 for national football. The organization’s statement underscored the disconnect between the acknowledged popularity of sports and the fiscal commitments made by government representatives. This gap has led to concerns regarding the sustainability of sports programs and athletes, who rely heavily on government support for training and competition.
Emphasizing the essential role sports play in providing employment opportunities for youth, both in the short and long term, SWAL called on the Liberian government to prioritize sports investments in its budget considerations. The organization asserted that the current financial state of the sporting sector does not reflect the pressing challenges faced by athletes and organizations throughout Liberia. The paltry allotments for essential sports disciplines risk strangulating their growth and potential, which, in turn, hampers broader societal development.
The Press Union of Liberia echoed SWAL’s sentiments, asserting that any commitment to the “so-called RESCUE and ARREST” agendas by the current leadership should incorporate comprehensive support for the sports sector. They urged stakeholders within the sports community to unite and strongly advocate for budgetary increments in upcoming discussions. This call to action not only champions the cause of athletes but also seeks to emphasize the broader socio-economic value of sports in national development, highlighting the missed opportunities and potential benefits that could arise if the sporting sector was given the financial backing required to thrive.
