Liberia Kickball Federation’s (LKF) dream to see kickball game play professionally across the globe seems to be coming to reality.
This is because Sierra Leone, a sister country to Liberia, has welcomed the playing of the game in that country.
Sierra Leone Sports authorities, through the National Sports Authority (NSA), the body responsible for regulating sports games in that West African State, last week endorsed the game.
This followed 4 days of interactions and discussions between a Liberia Kickball Federation delegation and Sports authorities in Freetown, Sierra Leone, including education and other stakeholders.
The NSA earlier in July invited the Liberia Kickball Federation to Freetown to discuss the possibility of launching the sport in the West African country to form part of their national sports activities.
The goal of the visit was also to explore the integration of kickball into the country’s athletic system and highlight its potential to empower youth and strengthen community bonds.
Following the 4-day interactions with various stakeholders in Freetown and Bo cities, the National Sports Authority welcomes the formal launch of the game in Sierra Leone.
Liberia Kickball Federation President Amb. Emmanuel Surprise Whea told reporters back in Paynesville City, Liberia, that the authorities in Sierra Leone were impressed with their visit and has agreed to have the kickball sport taken to Sierra Leone.
According to him, a follow-up engagement between Sierra Leone’s NSA and the Liberia Kickball Federation will take place in Paynesville City in September 2025.
Amb. Whea said the conclusion of that engagement will be followed by exhibition matches of kickball in Freetown and Bo in October 2025.
The LKF President said six clubs will be taken from Liberia to Sierra Leone for the exhibition matches in Freetown and Bo.
The Liberia Kickball Federation Chief said the successful launch of the kickball sport in Sierra Leone will begin the expansion process of the game to the subregion and later to the rest of the World.
Kickball is played in Liberia at a professional level only by ladies.
The sport, which is the second most popular game played in Liberia, came into existence in 1964 through Peace Corps volunteer Cherry Jackson.
Jackson, an American, tried teaching girls baseball but quickly realized they were much better at hitting the ball with their feet. That was the start of what became a custom for girls in the country and has become a serious competitive sport across Liberia.
The Sport has helped in providing High school education opportunities for many Liberian girls, with schools recruiting good kickball players (placing them on sports scholarship) to their respective school kickball teams.
A national league for the kickball sport was inaugurated in 1994, thus making the sport even more intense and interesting.
It’s regarded as Liberia’s own traditional sport, played at national levels and high school sports competitions.
Currently, the Liberia Kickball Federation runs three divisions: 3rd, 2nd, and 1st..