The Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) has commended His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, for recognizing the effort of Liberian athletes at the 13th African Games, held in Accra, Ghana.
Speaking to the Hot Pepper in an exclusive interview over the weekend, the President of the LNOC, Philipbert S. Browne, said this was the first time that a sitting President of the country has ever commended athletes representing the country at the Olympics, disclosing that President Boakai went further to place a call to the Chief of Mission to the Games, Malcolm W. Joseph, to express his gratitude to the athletes and all officials who went with the athletes to the games.
Browne said this has elevated and inspired the athletes for representing and bringing pride to their country.
The 13th African Games were held in Accra, Ghana, from March 8 to March 23, 2024, with Liberia participating in several categories, including, athletics, taekwondo, boxing and table tennis, and as well in side events such as scrabble and chess.
The Liberian athletes won four prestigious medals at the games. Maia McCoy, who clocked 11.49 seconds in the 100-meter and 4x100m relay, received two silver medals, becoming Africa’s second-fastest woman. Grace Zinnah Fahnbulleh, who represented Liberia in the Women’s 50Kg boxing category, received a bronze medal. Liberia also received a bronze medal in the men’s 4x100m Relay category.
On the sidelines of the event, Liberia achieved a silver medal in Scrabble, but could not be added to the official Olympic medals, as the event was hosted by the Scrabble parent body.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, President Boakai placed a special telephone call to Malcolm Joseph, Head of the Liberian National Olympic Committee Delegation, and commended the Liberian athletes for their outstanding performance at the 13th African Games.
The President expressed his gratitude and admiration to the athletes for their impressive performance, which helped promote Liberia’s image. He conveyed his pride in the athletes, who are primarily residents of the United States and had flown to represent Liberia in the continental games.
The President congratulated the athletes for their sacrifices and resilience, highlighting the meaningful day for the resurgence of the spirit of love and patriotism in Liberia.
Meanwhile, the LNOC Chief of Mission to the 13th African Games, Malcolm Joseph, has expressed thanks and appreciation to the athletes who represented the country at the African Games and congratulated them for their top performance. He also expressed gratitude for the tireless effort of the Head Coach, Sayon Cooper, and the Manager/Recruitment Agent, Kouty Mawehn. He then extended gratitude to the Olympic Solidary, especially to Angela Rianto, Head of Olympic Solidarity Finance and Operations, for reposing confidence in the NOC of Liberia and supporting them along the way.
However, Joseph has called on the Government of Liberia (GOL) to make available the US$75,000 (seventy-five thousand United States dollars) it vowed to allocate for the LNOC to cater to the athletes at the games, which they are yet to receive. He disclosed that the Liberian delegation was financially constrained in Ghana, and had to cry to the Olympic Solidarity to come to their rescue in order for the Liberian delegation not to be thrown out of the Olympic Village in Ghana.
He reiterated the call for the government to provide the US$75,000 in order for the LNOC to cater to its financial obligations and other needs of the institution.