Featured Image: President Weah State of the Nation Address (credit: KMTV Facebook page.)
On Jan. 24, President George Weah addressed the citizens regarding the State of the Nation. This is President Weah’s fifth annual address during his Pro Poor administration term.
Liberia’s current president was once Africa’s best football player, long before becoming a politician. During President Weah’s speech, he reflected on his time as a professional athlete and its foundation for his commitment to sports development in Liberia.
Dedicated to sports development, President Weah reported on the two projects his administration is currently working on; the Invincible Sports Park and PHP Sports and Recreation Facility. These facilities broke ground in February and August 2021 respectively.
The Invincible Sports Park will be located on Tubman Boulevard at the Sinkor-Airfield Football Field. Sitting on 12 acres, the park holds three football fields, three basketball courts, volleyball and tennis courts, a mini mart, a building for the Praying Women of Liberia, as well as a playground, green spaces for lecture and relaxation and a parking lot. While the park is 85% completed, Weah promised a four month turnaround from February 2021. However, seeing the living conditions of the surrounding community he saw fit to rebuild the entire area.
The PHP Sports and Recreation Facility will be located on 10 acres in the PHP Community along Redemption Road, a significant location in Liberia’s history. The park will hold two mini football fields, two mini basketball courts, two mini beach volleyball courts, an outdoor gymnasium, a playground, an administrative building, food courts, restrooms, and the Unity Memorial Square funded by the Abu Dhabi fund through the United Arab Emirates government. The inspiration for this park came from an outdoor facility President Weah saw in Dakar, Senegal. The time frame for completion is 12 months.
GTL is an avid supporter of sports development in Liberia. Hearing positive updates about the initiatives is a move in the right direction. Listen below for a snippet of President Weah’s report.