Published: May 23, 2025
MONROVIA – The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) will mark a historic milestone Friday as it hosts its first annual awards gala in more than 20 years, recognizing individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the development of sports across the country.
The event, set at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, will highlight Liberia’s athletic and journalistic achievements throughout 2024.
SWAL, the national body representing sports journalists in Liberia, has more than 150 members working across all 15 counties. The organization remains dedicated to promoting sports and fostering excellence through impactful reporting and collaborative professionalism.
Tonight’s gala will present 20 awards across five major disciplines—football, basketball, athletics, chess, and kickball—honoring journalists, athletes, administrators, and stakeholders for their outstanding performance and service.
The selection process began with online nominations from sports reporters nationwide. The SWAL Awards Committee, chaired by ELBC Deputy Director General for Broadcasting Hassan Kiawu, finalized the list of nominees, which was released Thursday.
Among the top contenders for Sports Journalist of the Year are Freedom FM/The Liberian Investigator reporter Thomas Kojo Roulhac, OK FM’s Sylvester Tamba, and T. Kla Wesley of Wesley Sports.
In the Best Print Media category, nominees include The Liberian Investigator, FrontPage Africa, and The Inquirer Newspaper. Meanwhile, OK FM, ELBC, and Truth FM lead the race for Best Broadcast Media House.
Emerging talents are also being recognized. Fatumata Barry (Kear FM), Sam Mulbah (Inquirer Newspaper), and Success Carr Jr. (Success TV) have been nominated for Emerging Sports Journalist of the Year.
In a statement, SWAL called on all sports journalists and national sports federations to attend and support the event, noting that the awards are part of its broader efforts to promote professionalism and excellence in sports journalism and athletic performance.
“This awards ceremony will not only celebrate achievements in sports but also inspire a culture of healthy competition among sports journalists and athletes,” the statement read.
As Liberia’s sporting landscape continues to grow, tonight’s ceremony is expected to set a benchmark for recognition, morale building, and national appreciation for contributions to the sports sector.
Full List of 2024 SWAL Awards Nominees
Best Sports Journalist of the Year
- T. Kla Wesley – Wesley Sports
- Thomas Kojo Roulhac – Freedom FM/The Liberian Investigator
- Sylvester Tamba – OK FM
Best Photojournalist
- Abdul Jallanzo – Freelancer
- T. Kla Wesley – Wesley Sports
- Marcus Toweh Jr. – Freelancer
Best Broadcast Media
- OK FM
- ELBC
- Truth FM
Best Print Media
- The Inquirer Newspaper
- FrontPage Africa
- The Liberian Investigator
Best Online Journalist
- Stephen Howard – Dream Big Media
- Naneka Hoffman – Let’s Promote Women’s Football
- Yusuf Mafin Sheriff – LIB Bleachers Sports
Best Sports Commentator
- William D. Toe – ELBC
- Nathaniel Tokpa – KMTV
- Elijah Pyne – Intel Sports
Emerging Sports Journalist of the Year
- Fatumata J. Barry – Kear FM
- Sam Mulbah – Inquirer Newspaper
- Success Carl Jr. – Success TV
Football
Most Valuable Player (Male)
- Nicholas Andrews – Heaven Eleven FC
- Ahmed T. Savage – FC Fassell
- Jonathan Freeman – Discoveries S.A.
Most Valuable Player (Female)
- Jessica Quachie – Determine Girls FC
- Miatta Morris – Shaita Angels
- Bountu Sylla – Determine Girls FC
Basketball
Most Valuable Player (Male)
- Joel Mator – Mighty Barrolle
- Fedolph Marshall – LPRC Oilers
- Omar Samba – Mighty Barrolle
Most Valuable Player (Female)
- Wellay T. Baar – Commissioners
- Michelle Nyanneh – Invincible Eleven
- Rose Emmanuel – Commissioners
Chess
Best Chess Player (Male)
- Leroy D. Debblay
- Bobby Ballah
Best Chess Player (Female)
- Abigail Karyah
- Georgina Sackie
Kickball
Most Valuable Player
- Patience Sackie – Vision Sisters
- Anita Glaygbo – Royal Sisters
- Anna Sannoe – Destiny KC
International Awards
International Footballer of the Year
- Oscar Dorley – Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
- Sampson Dweh – Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic)
- Mohammed Kamara – CFR Cluj (Romania)
International Athletic Star of the Year
- Joseph Fahnbulleh
- Ebony Morrison
- Emmanuel Matadi
Best Performing Federation/Association
- Liberia Football Association (LFA)
- Liberia Kickball Federation (LKF)
- Liberia Athletics Federation (LAF)
Best Club President (Male)
- Emmette S. Glasco – Senior Professionals FC
- Cassell A. Kuoh – FC Fassell
- Momo Cyrus – Wologisi FC
Best Club President (Female)
- Benita Urey – Shaita Angels
- Amie Wesseh – Vision Sisters
- Grace Weah – Determine Girls FC
Sports Patron of the Year
- Prof. Sekou Konneh – Vice President for Administration, LFA
- Momo Cyrus – CEO, Wologisi FC
- Tomah Seh Floyd Sr. – CEO, Nimba Kwadoe
Fan of the Year
- Elijah Fahn
- Satara Thomas
- Samuel Johnson
Best Basketball Coach of the Year
- Fadel Asaad – Mighty Barrolle
- Eric Cooper – Bushrod Bulls
- Varflay Corneh – LPRC Oilers
Best Football Coach of the Year
- Stephen G. Taar – Discoveries S.A.
- Ivan Minnaert – FC Fassell
- Famatta Dean – World Girls
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