National County Sports Meet Steering Committee Advances Preparations for 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet
National County Sports Meet Steering Committee Advances Preparations for 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet
Paynesville, Liberia — October 3, 2026: With 57 days remaining until the commencement of Liberia’s biggest national sports festival, the National Steering Committee of the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet convened on Thursday, October 2, 2026, to review ongoing preparations and take key decisions aimed at ensuring the successful organization of the tournament.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports and Chairperson of the National County Sports Meet Steering Committee, Hon. Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah, focused on critical administrative, financial, sporting, and logistical matters ahead of the national competition.
A major outcome of the meeting was the approval of the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet Rules, which will guide participating counties, teams, players, technical officials, and other stakeholders throughout the competition.
The Steering Committee emphasized the importance of compliance with the approved rules and regulations to promote fairness, discipline, transparency, and the smooth conduct of the tournament.
The Committee also welcomed the Liberia Giving Month fundraising initiative to raise funds, particularly for the counties, to support sports development across the counties.
Under the proposed arrangement, 40 percent of funds raised will be dedicated to sports investment in the counties, while 60 percent will support county wellbeing initiatives.
The Committee expressed optimism that the initiative will support sustainable development beyond the annual competition by investing in sports infrastructure.
Chairperson Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah disclosed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has received the first allotment of funding for the counties.
She explained that counties will begin receiving their respective funds for preparations once they submit the required financial reports and account for funds provided during the previous County Meet.
According to Minister Kruah, the accountability requirement is intended to strengthen transparency and responsible financial management throughout the County Meet process.
She further emphasized that the 2026/2027 County Meet will place greater emphasis on leaving tangible sporting assets in the counties.
“At the end of this tournament, every county must be able to demonstrate tangible investment in sports infrastructure and development,” Minister Kruah emphasized.
The Minister noted that the approach is intended to ensure that the County Meet is not viewed solely as an annual sporting competition, but also as an opportunity to contribute to the long-term development of sports across Liberia.
The official opening ceremony of the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in Lofa County, with exciting football and kickball matches in the other three host venues the next day. Four counties are hosting this year's event: Lofa, Bong, Grand Gedeh, and Grand Kru.
The opening ceremony is expected to feature several activities that celebrate Liberia’s sporting culture and bring together athletes, officials, communities, and supporters from across the country.
Planned attractions include a 10-kilometer run, part of the activities leading up to the official opening. The ceremony will also feature a special female soccer exhibition match, highlighting the growing participation and contribution of women and girls to Liberian sports. Additionally, a special Diaspora All-Stars versus County All-Stars match is expected to serve as one of the major attractions in Monrovia at the S.K.D Sports Complex.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced that team and player registration for the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet will officially begin on October 5 and run through October 21, 2026. All participating counties are therefore encouraged to ensure that their teams and players are properly registered within the stipulated period.
The Ministry urges county authorities, sports coordinators, coaches, athletes, and other stakeholders to work closely with the County Meet Secretariat to ensure timely compliance with all registration requirements.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports remains committed to delivering a well-organized, transparent, competitive, and impactful 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet, while using the tournament as a platform to promote national unity, talent development, sportsmanship, and sustainable sports infrastructure across Liberia.
