Youth and Sports Minister Meets International Scouts to Boost Talent Development

Youth and Sports Minister Meets International Scouts to Boost Talent Development
Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia W. Kruah, on Monday, March 2, met with several international football scouts at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex as part of her administration’s renewed commitment to youth empowerment and structured talent development in Liberia.
Speaking at the tournament’s opening ceremony, Minister Kruah lauded the organizers for the initiative and expressed strong confidence in the potential of Liberia’s young footballers. She reaffirmed the commitment of His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai to ensuring that Liberian athletes compete on the global stage and proudly represent the country in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.
Minister Kruah also highlighted Liberia’s proud football legacy, referencing former President George Weah, who was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, as well as former international striker James Debbah. She emphasized that under her leadership, the Ministry is determined to reposition Liberia among Africa’s and the world’s competitive footballing nations.
For his part, the Deputy Minister for Sports, Hon. G. Andy Quamie, encouraged the young athletes to give their very best, stressing that long-term success in football requires not only skill and agility but also discipline, focus, and strong character both on and off the field.
The scouts were brought to Liberia by Madam Emma Jarnyneh of Poise Entertainment and Poise Sports. The delegation included representatives ⁠Seyi Olofinjana of Chelsea F.C/RC Strasbourg, Giovanni Gullo of OGC Nice of France, Nikola Vracevic of Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, along with UK-based scouting agents. Other notable participants included Dimitri Strava, owner of D&S Sports, and UK-based agent Mayossar Fedil. The tournament was designed to identify promising young Liberian talents for potential opportunities in major European and international leagues.
The eight teams participating in the competition are Desmois FC, Watanga FC, Discoveries FC, Soul Clinic FC, Bendu FC, Benzard FC, Wadi Talents Kids, and Cece United. Each team fielded 17 players, bringing together a total of 136 youth athletes aged 15 to 17.  The Scouts will closely evaluate midfielders, wingers, defenders, and strikers, assessing their technical ability, agility, tactical awareness, discipline, and overall performance.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader development framework, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which promotes inclusive sports development as a critical tool for youth empowerment. It also reflects Liberia’s historic football achievements and seeks to inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence beyond national borders.