Monrovia, Liberia: – Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced AcelorMittal-Liberia as the Headline Sponsor for this years’ National County Sports Meet 2022-2023.
The Ministry made the announcement on Monday at a colorful ceremony in Monrovia noting that the steel company has made available USD$275 thousand.
AML sponsorship accounts for the biggest sponsorship contribution since the establishment of the National County Sports meet in the late 1970s.
Minister of Sports D. Zeogar Wilson said, the unveiling of AML marked a historical day for the national county sports meet under the CDC-led Government.
“Two years ago, we engaged ArcelorMittal-Liberia for sponsorship and at that time we were told they will provide sponsorship to the three affected counties. We accepted and we didn’t turn our backs on them’’.
He said the Youth and Sports Ministry engaged the global steel giant and this year the company decided to take “a giant step”.
“Today, it is my distinguished honor to announce to the people of Liberia that ArcelorMittal-Liberia is a Prime sponsor for the National County Sports Meet 2022-2023”.
Minister Wilson said USD$250 thousand of the sponsorship money will go to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the conduct of the league, while USD$25 thousand will be distributed among Nimba, Bong and Grand Bassa counties who are affected by its mining and logistics operations.
“We will ensure the three counties receive their various cheque with USD$10 thousand to be given to Nimba and USD$7,500 each to Bassa and Bong counties respectively.
AML Chief Executive Officer Joep Coenen thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the honor bestowed on his company to serve as Gold Sponsor for the county meet.
He told the audience he was moved by how “unifying and motivating sport can be” and that he was “excited to be able to stand and make the donation to the people of Liberia”
The AML CEO noted that activities of the National County Sports Meet bring into line AML’s commitment to peace, development, diversity, and inclusion.
“AML has strongly supported sports around Liberia and this year, ArcelorMittal is providing USD$275 thousand dollars as major sponsor for national county sports meet” Coenen noted.
“We celebrate our contribution to the national county sports meet and are counting on you as champions” he added
Senator Abraham Darius Dillon called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports to use the county meet as a place where talents can be spotted for football development.
Senator Dillion said in time past, the County Meet was used as a major talent breeding ground for the county until it became political.
Meanwhile Senator Dillion also urged AML to follow the footprint of LAMCO by supporting or owning one of the teams in the Liberia Football Association League.
Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf in remarks said the headline sponsorship and contribution made by ArcelorMittal-Liberia towards the National County Sports Meet called for a big celebration
Minister Sirleaf praised ArcelorMittal’s commitment to community development and said the company has helped solved emergent disaster problem in communities far from its operational area.
“On behalf of the fifteen counties and the leader of the fifteen counties who are not here, we want to appreciate you for your contribution”
The county sports meet starts November 17, 2022, with Grand Bassa County the official host.
