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Saah Augustine Mbayoh Jr
augustinesaahmbayoh@gmail.com
0777607502/0888553201

PARIS, France – As President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. begins his official visit to France, Liberia’s Sports Ambassador, “Alieu Kebe, is setting the stage for a new chapter in the nation’s sporting journey — one that could see young Liberian footballers breaking into European leagues.

Speaking with reporters in Paris, Ambassador Kebe, a former professional footballer who once played in France, revealed that discussions are already underway with several French clubs. The goal, he said, is to create meaningful partnerships that will support “talent development, strengthen the “national team, and give Liberian players a chance to shine on international pitches.

“That’s why we are here,” Kebe explained. “When we look at the French league, we don’t see our young Liberian players. Our aim is to change that — to see our talents signing professional contracts here and helping to build a stronger national team back home.”

Drawing on his own experience and network within French football, Kebe said he has been using his connections to open doors for Liberia’s future stars.

“I played for several teams here in France, and we’re already scheduling meetings with some of them to discuss opportunities for collaboration,” he added.

The initiative, according to Kebe, ties directly into President Boakai’s broader vision of using “sports as a tool for youth empowerment, national pride, and international engagement. He emphasized that Liberia has an abundance of untapped talent waiting for the right platform to excel.

Beyond football, the Sports Ambassador noted that the talks form part of Liberia’s renewed “sports diplomacy an effort to use athletic partnerships as a bridge between nations.

President Boakai’s visit, which includes high-level meetings with political, business, and cultural leaders, provides what Kebe described as “a perfect moment” to reconnect Liberia with the global sports community and lay the foundation for long-term development.

“The future is in Africa,” Kebe said confidently. “We want to make sure Liberia is part of that future — not just watching from the sidelines.”

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, working closely with the “Liberian Embassy in Paris, is expected to continue the discussions in the coming weeks. These talks could lead to official collaborations that give young Liberians access to one of Europe’s most competitive and respected football environments — marking an exciting step forward for the country’s sporting ambitions.

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