Published: June 29, 2026
Paynesville — The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Inter-School Sports Association have agreed to strengthen their partnership to expand grassroots sports development, improve talent identification and enhance support for school sports competitions across Liberia.
The agreement followed a strategic meeting on Wednesday led by Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, during which ISSA updated the ministry on its nationwide activities, operational challenges, and future plans.
ISSA said it now operates in all 15 counties, organizing football, kickball, and basketball competitions in Montserrado County, while football and kickball competitions continue in the remaining counties. The competition structure progresses from county and zonal levels to regional playoffs before culminating in a national championship.
The association announced that the Montserrado Playoffs will begin July 2, followed by regional playoffs in October and November. The National Championship is scheduled for January 2027.
ISSA also outlined key challenges affecting its operations, including limited funding and sponsorship, inadequate sporting facilities, conflicts with the academic calendar and insufficient office space. The association called for stronger institutional support to sustain and expand school sports nationwide.
The meeting, according to a release, also highlighted ISSA’s partnership with the Liberia Football Association, through which it organized the National Under-15 Football Competition during the 2024-25 academic year, bringing together schools from across the country.
Kruah stressed the need for a structured national scouting system to identify talented athletes at the county level before they are overlooked.
She directed ISSA to submit a comprehensive budget for the completion of the 2025-26 Montserrado Playoffs, Regional Playoffs and National Championship, along with updated nationwide participation statistics.
The minister also instructed the Ministry’s Department of Talent Development and Decentralization to work with communications and branding partners to develop a publicity strategy aimed at increasing the visibility of the competitions, attracting sponsors and encouraging greater public participation.
Both the ministry and ISSA reaffirmed their commitment to creating sustainable pathways for young athletes and strengthening grassroots sports across Liberia.
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