Published: May 15, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia’s U-23 Deaf Football Team has arrived in Zlatibor, Serbia, after spending more than 11 days stranded in Abuja waiting for visas that the Serbian Embassy in Nigeria was slow to issue, forcing the postponement of the team’s opening match at the 2026 U-23 World Deaf Football Championships.
The delegation departed Abuja on Wednesday aboard Turkish Airlines flights 624 and 1079, transiting through Istanbul before landing in Belgrade and traveling to Zlatibor, the host city of the championship. Head Coach Briama Sesay wasted no time, leading the squad through its first recovery session immediately after arrival in preparation for a rescheduled match against Great Britain on Friday.
The team is headed by Sheikh Hassan Kermokai of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and includes Liberia Deaf Sports Association President Octavius Vorkpor, Secretary-General Joseph Forkpa, interpreter Joshua Kargar and Sesay. A journalist traveling with the delegation reported that the Liberian government, through its embassy in Abuja, played a significant role in resolving the visa impasse.
Before departing Nigeria, members of the delegation visited the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, where they were received by Ambassador John Ballout. They also called on Serbian Chargé d’Affaires Aleksandra Jerić to express appreciation for her efforts in helping break the deadlock.
Liberia is one of nine countries competing in the championship, which runs May 11 to 23 across Zlatibor and Užice. The tournament is organized by the Serbian Deaf Sports Federation and brings together national deaf football teams to promote inclusion, sportsmanship and unity through sport. The other participating nations are Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine.
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