Published: September 18, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports is exploring a potential partnership with Capelli Sport Group to strengthen grassroots sports development, support local clubs with sports kits, and create international pathways for talented young athletes.
Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah met with representatives of the New York-based sports company for strategic discussions in New York. She was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Sports G. Andy Quamie.
The discussions focused on connecting Liberia’s grassroots Echo Sports System with international talent identification opportunities, while exploring potential kit sponsorship and supply arrangements.
The two sides also discussed talent scouting, coach and referee training, youth development models and opportunities for promising Liberian athletes to gain exposure to professional opportunities in the United States and Europe.
Kruah said the ministry wants to establish a structured grassroots sports system that provides young Liberians with clear development pathways.
“Grassroots sports is the heartbeat of our national sports agenda. It is where talent is discovered, character is built, and communities are united,” Kruah said.
“Our discussion with Capelli Sport is about creating a real pathway, from the community field to the national team, and even to professional leagues abroad.”
According to press statement, the minister said Liberia is particularly interested in Capelli Sport’s grassroots programs, coach and referee development initiatives and international network.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has identified grassroots sports as a key component of its long-term sports development strategy. Its agenda includes community- and school-based sports programs, talent identification through the Echo Sports System and capacity building for coaches and referees.
The ministry also views grassroots sports as a means of promoting discipline, health, education, peace and social cohesion among young people.
Capelli Sport, founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City, is a global multisport brand with operations and partnerships in 31 countries. Its product lines include soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, football, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis and wrestling.
The company is also involved in professional and youth soccer, including ownership of clubs such as HB Køge in Denmark, Barnsley Women’s FC in England and Inter Allies FC in Ghana. It is closely associated with Cedar Stars Academy, a youth and amateur soccer program with more than 2,500 players across the United States, Denmark and Ghana.
The meeting ended with an understanding that technical teams from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Capelli Sport will continue discussions on the scope, structure and modalities of a potential partnership.
No agreement has been signed at this stage. The discussions remain exploratory and are focused on identifying practical areas of cooperation.
The ministry said any future partnership would aim to benefit Liberian youth, community clubs, schools, and the country’s broader sports development efforts.
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