By S. Siapha Mulbah
The Southeastern counties who won the just-ended edition of the National County Sports Meet last Sunday in Paynesville City, have been complimented by the Chief Patron of Sports, President Joseph Boakai, for their respective achievements in traditional sporting activities across the country.
River Gee County, since their establishment in 2000, won their first County Meet trophy against Lofa County in the first edition of the competition hosted by the Joseph Boakai administration, and Rivercess County emerged as champions in Kickball against one of their biggest rivals, Nimba County, in a tightly-contested grand finale.
Two days after winning the nation’s biggest and most watched event, the Liberian leader, away on international visit to the United States of America, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Rivergee and Rivercess Counties for emerging as winners of the 2024 National County Sports Meet.
According to a statement published by the Executive Mansion yesterday, the President expressed his appreciation and admiration to the participants in the County Meet for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the games.
He acknowledged the hard work and dedication of all the athletes, coaches, and officials who participated in the National County Sports Meet.
He also emphasized the importance of sports in promoting unity, peace, national reconciliation, and integration, and encouraged the development of young people in the country.
The Chief Patron of Sports also noted that the National County Sports Meet is a platform for discovering and nurturing young talents in various sports disciplines. He encouraged the athletes to continue to hone their skills and strive for excellence in their chosen sports.
He stated that sport serves as a tool for socio-economic development, as it creates employment opportunities and contributes to the growth of various industries. He also noted that sports can help to promote tourism, which can bring in revenue and create jobs.
Furthermore, the Liberian Leader commended the organizers of the National County Sports Meet for the successful staging of the event and acknowledged the efforts of the various committees and stakeholders who worked tirelessly to ensure that the games were conducted in a safe and fair manner.
The President concluded by congratulating Rivergee County in the soccer category and Rivercess County in the kickball category, for their well-deserved victories, and urged other counties to continue to participate actively in the National County Sports Meet. He reiterated his commitment to the development of sports in the country and pledged his support to initiatives aimed at promoting sports at all levels.
The fever of celebration with huge momentum is still rocking River Gee as officials and sympathizers continue to send out different congratulatory messages to them on tasting what it feels like to have the county on the list of those that have won the trophy.
