Published: March 18, 2026
PAYNESVILLE — Liberia’s top high school athletes are set for a national showdown as regional champions from across the country converge at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex for the 2025–26 National High School Kickball and Football Championship.
The four-day tournament, scheduled for March 24–27 and organized by National High School Sports, will bring together teams from five regions to compete for national titles in both disciplines.
Opening Fixtures
Action kicks off Tuesday with doubleheader matchups in kickball and football.
In kickball, Voinjama Multilateral High School of Lofa County will face St. Samuel High School of Montserrado County at 1 p.m., followed by Sumo Muye Memorial Institute of Bong County taking on St. Paul Episcopal Parish High School of Sinoe County at 2:15 p.m.
Football fixtures will see Free Pentecostal Global Mission High School of Foya, Lofa County, clash with G.W. Gibson High School of Montserrado County at 3:30 p.m. Open Bible Mission High School of Grand Bassa County will then face St. Paul Episcopal Parish High School of Sinoe County at 4:45 p.m.
Second-Round Action
The competition continues Wednesday with key second-round encounters.
In kickball, Howard Academy of Montserrado County will meet Tweh Jaiklay High School of River Gee County at 1 p.m., followed by Amos T. Warner School against Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial High School at 2:15 p.m.
Football matches will feature Nathan F. Reeves Charity Memorial High School against J.S. Pratt High School of Maryland County at 3:30 p.m., while Highway Christian High School takes on Howard Academy at 4:45 p.m.
Knockout Stage and Finals
The tournament advances to the semifinals on Thursday, with the finals scheduled for Friday.
President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Liberia’s chief patron of sports, is expected to attend the finals, perform the ceremonial kickoff and present trophies to the winners.
Prizes and Incentives
Champions in both football and kickball will receive $7,000, gold medals and a trophy. The football champions will also earn an international trip to Ghana or Nigeria for developmental matches.
Runners-up will receive $5,000, while the most valuable player in each category will be awarded $1,000, along with additional prizes from sponsors.
Driving Education Through Sports
Since its establishment in 2017, National High School Sports has used athletics as a tool to promote education and boost school enrollment. Organizers say previous tournaments have contributed to increased enrollment, particularly among female students in southeastern Liberia.
Teams qualified through county and regional championships, with organizers covering transportation, meals and accommodation for participating schools — a move aimed at ensuring broader national representation and participation.
As the tournament approaches, expectations are high for a competitive showcase of young talent, with both national pride and tangible rewards at stake.
Discussion about this post