Published: October 6, 2025
Monrovia – The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) celebrated its 39th anniversary Saturday with a historic event in Nimba County, marking the first time the annual gathering was held outside Montserrado County.
The celebration began with a parade through Ganta City, followed by a football match and an anniversary dinner. The event was held under the theme “Celebrating 39 Years of Promoting Sports and National Unity.”
Liberia Chess Federation President Gonkartee Dekpah served as guest speaker and called for increased investment in sports journalism and broader support for athletic development across the country.
“Our sports writers are not just reporters; they are advocates, educators and ambassadors of the game,” Dekpah said. “Government, institutions and partners must invest in the sports media to provide training opportunities, modern tools and fair recognition.”
Dekpah emphasized the role of sports in fostering peace and national cohesion, describing it as one of Liberia’s most powerful tools for unity.
“When our national teams take the field, the noise of division is silenced,” he said. “We stand together, united by a common dream and a shared identity.”
While football remains Liberia’s most popular sport, Dekpah urged stakeholders to support other disciplines such as basketball, volleyball, boxing, taekwondo, para-sports and chess. He also called for decentralization of sports infrastructure and training programs to reach youth in rural counties.
“In every county — from Nimba to Maryland, from Lofa to Grand Kru — there are young talents waiting to be seen,” he said. “We must empower local sports associations and give every community the chance to participate meaningfully.”
SWAL President Varmah Kamara described the celebration in Ganta as a major achievement for the association and its members.
“Ganta’s celebration is where the heartbeat of sports journalism is pulsing loudest,” Kamara said. “This is where history is being made.”
Kamara reflected on SWAL’s founding vision to elevate sports journalism in Liberia and give voice to the athletes and stories that unite the nation.
“SWAL is more than an association. It is a movement and a fraternity that binds us together,” he said. “A movement that has shaped narratives, challenged norms and championed the truth — whether in stadiums or studios, on air, in newspapers or online.”
He also paid tribute to the association’s pioneers and past leaders, including Omari Jackson, Hassan Kiawu, Akosa Ike, Calitxe Hessou, Abraham Wheon, Malcolm Joseph, Kolubah Zayzay and Roland Mulbah.
“To those who came before us, I say thank you,” Kamara said.
The event drew sports journalists, athletes and dignitaries from across the country, reaffirming SWAL’s role as a pillar of Liberia’s sporting and media landscape.
Discussion about this post