Liberia celebrates Kids’ Athletics Day Friday

Liberia will on Friday, May 12, 2023 join the World to celebrate Kids' Athletics Day aiming to engage at least 500 kids in athletic activity to help to counter worrying of global inactivity rates.

The Liberia Athletics Federation  [LAF] kicked off celebrations ahead of Liberia's official celebrations by   mobilizing children  in schools and communities between 4 to 15 years old about Kids’ Athletics Day.

According to President Mulbah Zaza of LAF, numbers of  campaign to showcase athletics as a fun way for kids,  has begun 
Friday, May 5 and will end on Thursday, May 11 to encourage kids 
participate in its celebration on Friday, May 12 at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.

A one-day Kids’ Athletics workshop for over 15 Kids’ Athletics coaches will be held on Thursday.

 On Friday, an under-12 mile race and other running events alongside with jumping drills amongst others will be held.

The Secretary General of LAF, Samuel Cooper, said on Friday,  some former senior national athletes will take part in  some running and other fun activities with kids and speak to the kids about the importance of playing and being active for kids’ development and wellbeing.

Meanwhile, over 70 Track & Field athletes, male and female,  from seven (7) clubs, will converge at the Samuel K. Doe Sports  Complex in Paynesville for the LAF National Athletics Club Championship. 

The participating clubs on Saturday are  Elite Star Athletics Club, Big Dream, Tiger of RAFIKI Village,  Fast Track, Liberty, Conqueror and Cornerstone.

The LAF National Athletics Championship is aimed to spot hidden talents amongst  clubs  to form part  of the LAF local national  teams to compete in international  championships.
The athletes will participate in about 11 events including: 5,000m, 1,500m, 400, 200m, 100m, long jump, high jump, shot put and relays (4x100m and 4x400m normal and mixed). 

The winner  of this  year’s  Championship  will receive  L$50,000.00 and a gigantic trophy.

Liberty is the reigning LAF Athletics Club Champion.  In 2021,  Fast Track  won the championship while
Conquerors topped the last two editions of the  LAF  Club Championships prior to 2021.