GANTA, Nimba – The month-long Inter-Electoral District League in Ganta has come to an end, with the Ninth District emerging as the winner in the male football category. The First District took the championship in the women’s kickball category.

The league was an opportunity for residents from across the county to engage with each other in sporting competitions. The Association of Coaches in Nimba County, in collaboration with the Subcommittee of the Liberia Football Association in Nimba, organized the championship. Organizers said they hoped the league would discover new players who could play for Nimba in the 2018-2019 National County Sports Meet in addition to fostering unity.

The final football match was played between the Fourth District and the Ninth District, bringing thousands of spectators to Ganta on Sunday, August 19.

The Fourth District, which was the favorite to win the championship, took the lead in the first half of the match but saw themselves defeated 2-1 by the defending champions, the Ninth District.

Christopher Y. Johnson, the secretary general for the Nimba subcommittee of LFA, congratulated the participating teams and spectators.

He noted that the league was an opportunity to demonstrate the unity of Nimba, amid calls to split the county.

“There is nothing stronger or greater than unity,” he said. “In union, strong success is sure.”

Johnson then called for the full support of local authorities of the County to their various teams, whenever the league is staged. He said the LFA Subcommittee in Nimba is always ready and prepared to work with the county to improve the county’s sporting landscape.

Dorr Cooper, Nimba’s superintendent, also congratulated the participating teams. He said although his district won the league, as a leader of the county, he feels that “Nimba County has won.”

Cooper said he was glad that the league achieved its objectives of fostering reconciliation and creating a platform for young people to display their talents. “And I think that has been proven beyond everybody—we have achieved it all,” he added.

The superintendent promised his full support for future sporting activities in the county.

For his part, Rep. Johnson Gwaikolo of the ninth district said he was not surprised to see his boys lift the trophy. He promised to support the current squad to build a stronger team for the district.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah