Promoters of Liberian Athletes (PROLA) has showered praises on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the nomination of a sports veteran, Jeror Cole Bangalu, at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
According to a statement issued in Monrovia Monday, February 1, 2024, from the offices of the organization, PROLA indicated that the decision by the Liberian Chief Executive to pick a well-deserved Liberian sports administrator will surely elevate the entire youth development program, build the capacity of young people, and also expand the improvement of every sporting sector in Liberia.
A statement signed by PROLA’s President, Joseph H. Farkollie, maintained that the nomination of the veteran sports administrator is in the right direction and it would serve as a special conduit or a bridge to developing programs, scouting for projects and opportunities that would help generate a spirit of empowerment among Liberians, especially the youths who are in search of greater opportunities in skills empowerment, including sports and other career development activities to enhance their capacities and make major contributions to society’s development.
The PROLA’s statement emphasized that the Chief Patron of Sports, President Boakai’s decision to ask Cllr. Bangalu to serve his country through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has opened up the channel to even bring into action some of those youth programs, institutions, and sporting bodies that have gone inactive to regain their status in playing their active roles in Liberia.
According to PROLA, the nominee is a man of good character, whose appointment will surely serve the best interest of Liberian youths, the people in general, and the nation as a whole, stressing with the belief that the appointee will serve with honor, diligence, and will surely perform his duty to the expectation of the President and the populace.
The PROLA release said, with the ascendency of the professional Liberian lawyer at the helm of youth and sports administration, all sporting federations and associations will get their share of the “national cake” in order to function properly.
Prior to his nomination, Minister-designate Bangalu served in high profile positions in sports, including as Vice president for Administration for the Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association (IE), president of Deveraux Football Club, Chairperson of Lofa County Sports Association, and Technical Director of Alpha Old-timers Sports Association.
The Minister-designate is also a certified Confederation of African Football (CAF) license ‘C’ coach and has a License ’D’ coaching diploma from the Liberia Football Association.
He further added to his credentials a certified certificate as a Match Commissioner, Liberia Football Association, a certificate in CAF club licensing, as well as other sporting development credentials.
Cllr. Bangalu earned advanced certificate (Laour administration) International Training Center of the International Labor Organization (ILO), University of Turin, Italy.
Cllr. Cole Bangalu, who is an outstanding lawyer, holds a membership with the Liberia National Bar Association, the African Bar Association (ABA), and is currently a Managing Partner for Professional Justice Watch and Associates Legal Services.
The Liberian Youth and Sports Minister-designate served several key positions in the Liberian government, which include Managing Director, National Housing Authority (NHA); Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Labor; Deputy Director General for Administration, General Service Agency (GSA); Assistant Minister for Trade Union Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Assistant Minister for Regional Labor Affairs, Ministry of Labor.
The Youth and Sports Minister-designate is an Economist who also served as Coordinator of Excise Tax; Coordinator, Bureau of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, and Research Analyst, National Investment Commission; as well as Legal Practitioner, Kemp and Associates Legal Services.
