Published: July 15, 2026
Paynesville — The Liberia National Handball Association (LNHA) has appointed Marlee Boakai, daughter of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, as Liberia’s Global Handball Ambassador as part of efforts to expand the sport’s visibility and strengthen youth development.
The appointment was announced during the closing ceremony of a seven-day National Handball Referees and Table Officials Workshop held over the weekend at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, LNHA President Aratus Larkpor said Boakai was selected because of her commitment to sports development and her growing support for handball.
“Madam Boakai and I have no connection. I don’t know her personally, but because of the services she has rendered in sports and the interest she has shown in handball, we decided to bring her on board to use her influence to help handball,” Larkpor said.
Larkpor said the association is working to attract influential Liberians to support the development of handball, describing the sport as one that thrives at the grassroots level.
He noted that Boakai was also part of Liberia’s delegation to the 2026 International Handball Federation (IHF) Youth Championship Qualifiers in Lomé, Togo.
Although she was unable to attend the ceremony, her elder brother, Ignatius Boakai, accepted the honor on her behalf.
Lakpor added that the appointment is expected to raise the profile of handball in Liberia and encourage greater participation among young people, particularly girls and young women.
The ceremony also marked the graduation of 20 young handball referees and table officials, who completed a seven-day certification workshop designed to improve officiating standards across the country.
Held under the theme “Upholding Standards, Excellence and Honesty on the Court,” the training equipped participants with modern refereeing techniques, match management skills and a deeper understanding of international handball rules.
The workshop was sponsored by Olympic Solidarity in partnership with the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC), the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB) and the International Handball Federation (IHF). Training sessions were conducted by IHF-certified instructor Yalatima Ahmed Coulibaly of Côte d’Ivoire.
Addressing the graduates, LNOC President Cllr. Sylvester Rennie urged the newly certified officials to uphold professionalism, integrity and fairness in every match they officiate.
He said competent and impartial referees are essential to maintaining the credibility and continued growth of handball in Liberia.
Assistant Minister for Sports Murvee Gray also challenged the graduates to remain disciplined and ethical throughout their careers.
Gray said referees and table officials play a vital role in ensuring fair competition and preserving the integrity of the game, noting that their conduct on and off the court will influence public confidence in the sport.
The certification of the 20 officials is expected to strengthen officiating standards in domestic competitions and support the LNHA’s efforts to develop handball nationwide.
The LNHA is confident that the newly trained referees and table officials will help improve the quality, credibility and professionalism of handball competitions as Liberia continues to invest in sports development and youth empowerment.
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