A Five-Men Liberia Kickball Federation (LKF) has departed Monrovia for Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The delegation is embarking on a landmark regional mission aimed at expanding the reach of kickball and deepening bilateral cooperation through sports.
The LKF delegation mission, which runs from July 21 to 25, 2025, comes in response to an official invitation from Sierra Leone’s National Sports Authority (NSA).
Sierra Leone National Sports Authority (NSA) seeks to introduce and institutionalize kickball within its national sports framework formally.
Leading the delegation is LKF President Ambassador Emmanuel Surprise Whea, an experienced sports administrator trained by Indiana University (IU) and youth advocate.
He is been joined by Secretary General Mr. Ahu G. Fofana, Mr. Lamin K. Kamara, Sr. Chairman of the Grievance and Ethics Committee, Mr. C. Tonia Fahnbulleh, representing League One Clubs; and Mr. Alfred P. Berry, representing League Two Clubs.
According to the NSA, the mission will include strategic engagements with key stakeholders across Sierra Leone’s education, health, security, and media sectors.
The goal is to explore the integration of kickball into the country’s athletic system and highlight its potential to empower youth and strengthen community bonds.
An outcome of the visit would lead to an exhibition tournament planned in select cities to showcase the sport’s competitive appeal and unifying power.
In his July 8 invitation letter, NSA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai emphasized the broader purpose of the visit, noting that it will lay the groundwork for lasting technical partnerships and regional athletic collaboration.
“This is more than a courtesy visit – it’s a strategic moment for youth sports in the region,” said Dr. Abdulai.
The initiative has received high-level backing in Sierra Leone, with copies of the invitation sent to the Ministries of Sports, Foreign Affairs, and other relevant government institutions to ensure full support and coordination.
Ambassador Whea described the visit as a pivotal step in regional sports diplomacy, saying: “This mission is not just about promoting kickball; it’s about creating opportunities, building friendships, and advancing peace through structured youth engagement. We’re proud to be trailblazers in this effort.”
With Liberia continuing to lead the way in professionalizing kickball, the delegation’s visit is expected to inspire Sierra Leone’s kickball league and foster long-term collaboration. Stakeholders on both sides hope the visit will eventually pave the way for West African kickball tournaments, training exchanges, and broader cultural integration through sports. As the LKF delegation begins its mission in Freetown today, a new chapter appears to be unfolding for kickball in the Mano River Union region.