MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS ENGAGES INTER-SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS ENGAGES INTER-SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – June 24, 2026 – The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) on Wednesday held a strategic engagement with the leadership of the Inter-School Sports Association (ISSA) aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding talent identification opportunities, and enhancing support for school-based sports competitions across Liberia.
The meeting, convened by Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, provided an opportunity for ISSA to present updates on its nationwide activities, discuss operational challenges, and explore areas of collaboration with the Ministry.
ISSA informed the Ministry that its activities currently extend across all fifteen counties of Liberia, with organized competitions in football, kickball, and basketball in Montserrado County, while other counties continue to host football and kickball competitions. The association also outlined its competition structure, which progresses from county and zonal contests to regional playoffs and ultimately a national championship.
The association announced that the Montserrado Playoffs are scheduled for July 2, 2026, with Regional Playoffs expected to take place between October and November 2026 and the National Championship planned for January 2027.
During discussions, ISSA highlighted several challenges affecting its operations, including limited sponsorship and funding, inadequate sporting facilities, academic calendar conflicts, and insufficient office space. The association emphasized the need for stronger institutional support to sustain and expand school sports programs nationwide.
The meeting also focused on ISSA's growing role as a platform for identifying and nurturing young sporting talent. ISSA briefed the Ministry on its partnership with the Liberia Football Association (LFA), under which the association successfully organized the National U-15 Football Competition during the 2024/25 academic year, involving schools from across Liberia.
Minister Kruah emphasized the importance of creating a structured national scouting system capable of identifying talented athletes at the county level before they are lost to the system.
The meeting concluded with several action points. ISSA was directed to submit a comprehensive budget covering the completion of the 2025/26 Montserrado Playoffs, Regional Playoffs, and National Championship, as well as updated nationwide participation statistics.
The Minister also tasked the Department of Talent Development and Decentralization to work with communications and branding partners to develop a comprehensive branding, publicity, and promotional strategy for the upcoming Montserrado Playoffs, Regional Championships, and National Championship. The initiative is intended to increase visibility, attract sponsorship opportunities, and encourage broader public participation in school sports.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to strengthen grassroots sports development and create sustainable pathways for young athletes throughout Liberia.
