MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Chinese embassy, over the weekend, officially launched the Village Super League, a key event of the China Africa year of people-to-people exchange.
The village Super League is a transformative grassroots movement that drives rural revitalization, boosts local economies through massive sports tourism, and preserves cultural traditions.
As part of these efforts, fifteen players have been chosen to depart for China from the fifteen counties to represent Liberia at the event in Guizhou province.
Speaking at the event recently, Chinese Ambassador Yin Chengwu said,” Liberia and China are separated by vast oceans, but have a lasting, enduring history of people-to-people and state relations”.
The Chinese envoy said,” China and Liberia relations have taken root through mutual support, flourished through solidarity and cooperation with close exchanges between its peoples”.
Ambassador Yin further stated that the sporting events will serve as a bridge across mountains and seas, bringing the two peoples closer together, and congratulated the selected players, charging them to serve as pioneers in sports between both nations.
Yin disclosed China’s flagship plan as part of the event to organize Artificial Intelligence case innovation, competition, and study visit for African youth.
He said,” The AI activity will be under the theme AI for Smarter Future, China and Africa advancing together on a new journey”.
Ambassador Yin said,” The activity will be open to youth from African countries for broader solicitation of AI application cases, focusing on areas including public wellbeing, scientific and technological progress, industrial application cultural exchange, and talent development”.
The Chinese envoy, however, stated that selected entries will be compiled into a case collection with award winners receiving certificates and prizes.
He, at the same time, encouraged young Liberians to actively participate, showcase their talents, and use AI to fulfill their youth dreams, while contributing to a new chapter of China-Africa Friendship.
For her part, Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Kruah emphasized that the China Village Super League is a celebration of cultural exchange and sports diplomacy between China and Liberia.
Madam Kruah highlighted China’s long-term strategic support for sports in Liberia, citing the construction of the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex.
The Youth and Sports Minister said,” The fifteen players drawn from all fifteen counties aim to showcase Liberia’s culture and unity and support the ministry’s decentralization plan, ensuring youth development and opportunities across the country”.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel Stevequoah, underscored the power of sports as a unifying force and the importance of cultural exchange.
Minister Stevequoah said,” The event underscored the commitment to inclusivity and the President’s Joseph Boakai Vision for youth development”.
The Minister of State admonished the players to be true ambassadors and carriers of Liberia’s vision, hope, and future, ensuring to strengthen the relationship between both nations.