The 2023 edition of the ArcelorMittal Liberia Cup, dubbed the AML Cup, has begun in Nimba County.
The tournament seeks to add flavor to the Independence Day celebration by bringing together AML’s mining communities to compete in kickball and football matches.
The tournament is being held under the theme, “Play for Peace: Transforming Communities Through Sports”, and opening matches will take place on Tuesday, July 18 simultaneously in Grand Bassa, Bong and Nimba counties.
The tournament will feature a total of 24 teams across ArcelorMittal’s host communities to promote unity and peaceful coexistence to transform the communities.
On Tuesday July 18, 2022 Green Hill Quarry will play Gbaata, while Yopea and Camp Two also battle each other in football and kickball in Bong County.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 the winner from the Green Hill Quarry VS Gbaata games will play the winner of the Yopea VS Camp 2 games in football and kickball.
Winners will book a space to the grand finals, which are scheduled to take place at the Doris Williams Sports Stadium in Buchanan City from July 25 to the 26, 2023.
All matches in Bong County will be played at the Green Hill Quarry Sports Pitch.
In kickball and football, Compound #3 will play Barseigiah Town on Tuesday July 18, 2023.
On that same day, “Own Your Own” and Barseigiah Town, Grand Bassa, are scheduled to play in kickball and football.
In Nimba County, Lugbeyee and Gbapa will go head-to-head in football and kickball at the Yekepa Sports ground on July 18, while SehGeh and Duo communities play for a spot to the Nimba finals at the Yekepa Sports ground.
ArcelorMittal said winners from the games in Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa will then play with each other in the grand finals from July 25 to the 26, 2023 at the Doris Williams Sports pitch, Buchanan City.
According to AML, “The theme of the tournament emphasizes the role of sports in maintaining social harmony, fostering mutual respect, and upholding the values that define us.
“Furthermore, the tournament provides a unique opportunity to connect with communities close to AML operations and demonstrate ArcelorMittal’s support to strengthen and build strong community engagement and protect its social license to operate.
“The objective is to foster stronger relationship between the host communities and ArcelorMittal and promote peace and human values.”