Sport in Liberia
Liberia is a West African nation bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast in the west, north, and east respectively. Despite being rocked by decades of civil war, just like a lot of African nations, Liberia has never lost its love for sports.
As with most of Africa, association football or more commonly referred to as soccer or simply football, is the most popular sport. Liberia's best known player both in and outside of the country is George Weah. This Liberian striker has received various football honors. He is Liberia's first FIFA World Player of the Year that he took in 1995. He was also a three-time African Player of the Year (1989, 1994 and 1995), European Player of the Year in 1995 and African Player of the Century. The Liberian national football team also reached the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and 2002. Liberia has the famous Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex for all their sporting events.
Other sports that are popular in Liberia include basketball and athletics. When it comes to international sporting events, nothing is grander than the Olympic Games. Liberia has competed in the Summer Olympic Games since 1956 with exception to 1968, 1976 and 1992 but is yet to send athletes to the Winter Olympic Games.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Liberia. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Liberia
- Football (Soccer), basketball, track & field
Liberia Sporting Success
- George Weah won the 1995 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year
- The national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations twice—in 1996 and 2002.
Great athletes from Liberia
- George Weah (football)
Liberia Sports trivia
- Liberia's athletes took part in the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games, but not until after first marching in the Opening Ceremony.
Liberia at major events
Past sporting events hosted in Liberia
Upcoming sporting events in Liberia
Annual sporting events held in Liberia
- The Liberian First Division (formerly the Liberian Premier League) is the highest division of football in Liberia
- The LBA League is the top professional basketball league in Liberia
Sporting Facilities in Liberia
- Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Monrovia
- Antoinette Tubman Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Monrovia
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