Monrovia — The 2024 National Budget has sparked outrage following the Legislature's approval of a mere US$366,007 for sports, a decision seen as a grave disservice to the country's youth.
The neglect of adequate funding for sports is being criticized as a failure to prioritize youth development and tackle issues like unemployment.
Despite the influence of several legislators with backgrounds in sports, including former Liberia Football Association presidents Reps. Musa H. Bility, Dixon Siebo, and Senator Edwin Snowe, as well as Senators Momo Cyrus, Jonathan BoyCharles Sogbie, Prince Moye, Numine T.H. Bartekwa, Saah H. Joseph and Cllr. Joseph D. Jallah, the budget for sports remains drastically low.
This has led to accusations of these lawmakers turning a blind eye to the crucial role that sports can play in shaping the future of Liberia's youth.
The budget breakdown includes paltry sums such as US$150,000 for football, US$1,230 for basketball, US$738 for kickball, US$150,000 for the County Meet, US$3,691 for Up-Country Basketball, and US$25,000 for the Intra-Governmental League. Such meager allocations are seen as a betrayal of the potential sports hold for promoting healthy lifestyles, developing life skills, and fostering social engagement among young people.
Critics argue that the budget demonstrates a lack of vision and commitment to using sports as a tool for youth empowerment. In a country where youth unemployment is a significant issue, many believe that sports programs could play a key role in providing opportunities for personal development, leadership, and community building.
"This is a blatant disregard for the future of Liberia's youth. Investing in sports is not a luxury; it's a necessity for shaping disciplined, responsible, and socially engaged citizens. The current budget allocation is an insult to the value that sports bring to individual and societal growth", said one sports advocate who begged anonymity.
The low budget for sports comes at a time when the country is in dire need of programs that can unite communities, reduce crime, and offer young people alternative paths to success.
By failing to invest adequately in sports, lawmakers are seen as depriving the youth of these crucial opportunities.
Among the more shocking omissions in the budget is the complete lack of funding for the National Para-Olympics, leaving the disabled community without support for their athletic endeavors.
Meanwhile, allocations for other sports, such as table tennis (US$258), volleyball (US$246), swimming (US$258), and handball (US$258), are so minimal that they are unlikely to have any meaningful impact on the development of these sports.
Despite the dismal budget, the potential for sports to act as a catalyst for social and economic development remains undeniable. Many believe that if properly funded, sports could play a transformative role in Liberia's growth, offering youth a platform to excel, build careers, and contribute to society.
As the country grapples with limited resources and ongoing challenges, there is growing demand for the government to re-evaluate its priorities and recognize the long-term benefits of investing in sports. Advocates are calling on the Legislature to reconsider its allocation and provide sufficient funding to unlock the full potential of Liberia's youth through sports.
Breakdown of Sports Allocations for 2024:
National Football - US$150,000
Ministerial League - US$25,000
County Meet - US$150,000
Table Tennis - US$258
Up-Country Basketball - US$3,691
Grassroots Sports Development - US$1,230
Chess - US$1,230
Liberia Scout - US$538
Girls Guard - US$538
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Volleyball - US$246
Track and Field - US$246
Swimming - US$258
Kickball - US$738
National Para-Olympics - US$0
Karate-Do - US$258
Taekwondo - US$258
Amputee Football - US$3,400
Handball - US$258
Women and Sports - US$123
Athletic Federation - US$24,276
Basketball - US$1,230
Inter High School Sports - US$492
Deaf and Dumb Athletics - US$492
Cricket - US$369
Netball - US$128
Judo - US$246
