Published: June 6, 2025
MONROVIA — Senator Jonathon Boycharles Sogbie of River Gee County, a former striker for the national football team, has introduced legislation to establish the Liberia National Sports Fund Authority, aimed at providing sustainable financial support for sports development across the country.
The bill, submitted to the Liberian Senate, proposes the creation of an autonomous agency financed through government subsidies, grants, private donations, and levies on select consumer goods.
According to the draft law, the levies would apply to products such as apparel, cosmetics, footwear, and luxury vehicles, which would serve as key revenue streams for the proposed authority.
Sogbie, who represented the Lone Star from 1990 to 1998, said the bill is designed to reduce reliance on inconsistent funding sources and foster long-term investments in sports infrastructure, training, and talent development.
He currently serves as acting president of Invincible Eleven (IE), a club he once played for in the Liberia Football Association National League.
During his playing career, the 55-year-old was renowned for his goal-scoring prowess. He featured for Ivorian powerhouse ASEC Mimosas before moving to Europe, where he played for Swiss clubs Lausanne-Sport and Servette. He later moved to the United States, where he played for the Connecticut Wolves and Rhode Island Stingrays, and later for China’s Chongqing Lifan.
Sports Ministry Backs Legislation
Deputy Minister for Sports G. Andy Quamie of the Ministry of Youth and Sports welcomed the bill, calling it a critical tool for advancing Liberia’s sports sector.
“Excellent — hope it can pass both houses to become law,” Quamie told The Liberian Investigator. “We welcome it wholeheartedly and pray the proper documentation is obtained and passed into law.”
While noting that the ministry will issue an official statement on the legislation, Quamie emphasized that sustainable sports development cannot depend solely on the national budget.
“Identification of proper funding sources to support the sports authority is key,” he said. “Liberian sports and infrastructure development cannot succeed on budgetary allocation alone.”
SWAL Lauds ‘Farsighted’ Proposal
The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) also praised Sogbie’s initiative, describing it as farsighted. In a statement, the group called for thorough scrutiny of the bill to ensure it addresses all aspects of sports development.
SWAL stressed that the proposed authority should focus not only on raising funds but also on building a comprehensive and inclusive framework for sports growth in Liberia.
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