By Desmond Gbeleh Wion
Senior Reporter
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has launched an intra-governmental sports league meant to build stronger ties between government institutions and encourage national unity.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the regular MICAT press briefing by Deputy Sports Minister Andy Quamie. He said the tournament will be organized in partnership with the Civil Service Agency and the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. Named the “Intra-Governmental Unity League,” the event will involve ministries, agencies, commissions, state-owned enterprises, and other public institutions competing in friendly games and recreational activities.
Minister Quamie said the league is a way to use sports to bring people together in government. He noted that beyond keeping fit, the event will encourage teamwork and strengthen commitment to the country’s development goals.
“This is not just about winning games,” he said. “It’s about building unity within public institutions.”
The league will run for two months and include 65 participating institutions. Several committees have been set up to manage the event, including vetting, appeals, hospitality, and the main organizing committee under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Each institution must register with a fee of US$700. Only employees aged 35 and above will be allowed to play. Out of the 65 expected teams, 52 have already registered, while the remaining 13 are expected to follow soon.
This year’s edition will be different from past tournaments. Winners will be honored at an award dinner, which will be attended by senior government officials.
To ensure that only real employees take part, the National Identification Registry (NIR) will confirm citizenship. The Civil Service Agency will check employment status, the General Auditing Commission will handle the vetting process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will deal with appeals, and the Ministry of Information will manage communication.
The intra-governmental league was first introduced in 2006 under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It has since become a yearly activity aimed at promoting cooperation across government.
With a planned budget of about US$15,000, this year’s tournament is scheduled to begin on April 17, 2025. Organizers hope it will live up to expectations and further strengthen unity and teamwork in government.
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