Published: January 23, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — River Gee County Sen. Jonathan Boye-Charles Sogbie has urged a reset of Liberia’s National County Sports Meet, warning that the tournament—once seen as a unifying platform for youth talent—is increasingly being hijacked by manipulation, cheating and a win-at-all-costs culture that is “breeding conflict” across counties.
Sogbie made the remarks Tuesday on the Senate floor as lawmakers returned from recess and opened the third session of the 55th Legislature. His comments came days after Nimba County won the 2025 County Meet football championship at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
“I like to remind us that the County Meet, reason for being in existence is to develop unity and foster peace amongst ourselves and to annex our youths’ talent,” Sogbie said. “Everyone wants to win at all costs, even to the point where organizers themselves are cheating for other people, and that is a serious issue.”
Calls for Senate scrutiny
The senator called on the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports to summon the relevant ministry for discussions on the future of the tournament, arguing that recurring disputes and allegations are damaging public confidence in the competition.
He referenced ongoing Liberia Football Association investigations and said the suspension of several referees over alleged misconduct points to deeper problems in the administration of the event.
Shift focus to development
Sogbie said lawmakers should prioritize efforts that expand opportunities for young people rather than fueling county rivalries over trophies. He noted that the Senate has already passed legislation intended to redirect County Meet-related funding toward development projects in participating counties—though the bill is still awaiting action in the House of Representatives.
“We have submitted a bill that was passed by the Senate and sent to the House,” he said. “This is what we should be focusing on, rather than fighting or attempting to cheat in order to win.”
Chiefs’ pay irregularities raised
Beyond sports, Sogbie used his remarks to revive concerns about salary irregularities affecting chiefs and elders, an issue he said remains unresolved despite being forwarded previously to the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs.
“We will not allow our people to work hard and don’t even know how much money is going to be paid,” he said. “If it is $100, let them know it is $100.”
He pledged to return the matter to the Senate floor, insisting the issue must be addressed “once and for all.”
Maritime gains highlighted
Sogbie, who chairs the Senate Maritime Committee, also highlighted what he called major progress in the maritime sector, pointing to Liberia’s re-election to Category A of the International Maritime Organization.
“The entity is performing exceptionally well,” he said, describing the re-election as “outstanding.”
He also announced that Liberia has signed an agreement with Shanghai University to provide training opportunities in China for Liberian seafarers and others pursuing maritime careers.
“These are the positive developments we have been talking about,” Sogbie said. “When issues deserve condemnation, we will condemn them; but when actions are commendable, we will give them due praise.”
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