IPNEWS: Liberia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced ArcelorMittal Liberia as the headline sponsor for this year’s National County Sports Meet.
The Ministry made the announcement on Monday at a colorful ceremony in Monrovia noting that the site company has made available US$ 275 thousand.
AML sponsorship accounts for the biggest sponsorship contribution since the establishment of the National County Sports meet in the late 1970s.
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 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 towards the national County Meet called by 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 ae 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.
Minister of Sports Zeogar Wilson 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 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 is the Prime sponsor for the National County Sports Meet”.
Minister Wilson said 250 thousand of the sponsorship money will go to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the conduct of the league, while 25 thousand will be distributed among Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties which are affected by its mining and logistics operations.
“We will ensure the three counties receive their various cheque with 10 thousand to be given to Nimba and 7500 each to Bassa and Bong counties
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”
