Triumph on the Track: University Liberia Athletics Champion
On a sun-drenched weekend at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, a fervent sense of possibility coursed through the air. Echoes of cheers rose with each race, each leap, each throw. And at the heart of it all stood the University of Liberia (UL), the undisputed University Liberia Athletics Champion, whose athletes surged past the competition to seize the crown of the inaugural National University Athletics Championship.
A Championship-Winning Performance
Whether it was sprints or distance, UL owned it. Golds were won in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m. The men and women trained the same; they were fast and intensely dedicated. For the female sprinters, the fan/audience favorite was Hajar Kelleh. She won the gold in the 100 meters (13.02 seconds) and the gold in the 200 meters (28.00 seconds). Second place was Janies Dunbar from Smythe University with times of 14.10 seconds and 30.24 seconds.
The 100m and 200m men’s events were popularized by Charles Weah. He wasn’t one of those athletes who needed a watch-it-to-believe-it personality, either. He was humble yet aggressively confident. He won gold in the 100 meters (11.25 seconds) and the 200 meters (22.62 seconds). His two wins helped notch UL as a university on the rise for winning in athletics.
Breakout Performers Beyond UL
While UL led the medal count, other universities had their share of triumphs. Stella Maris Polytechnic’s Riseann Beadeh clinched bronze in the women’s 100 meters and gold in the 400 meters with a time of 1:12.88. Her determination showed that individual brilliance can shine even against dominant teams.
Michael Teekay, also of Stella Maris, won silver in the men’s 100 meters (11.42 seconds). Meanwhile, AME Zion’s Jimmy U-Sayee claimed bronze in the 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters.
Middle-distance races were again led by UL. The 400 meters featured Toney Roberts coming in at 52.11 seconds. The 800 meters had Marcox Sackie taking home gold at 2:11.68, while on the women’s side, Donna Boyou topped the 800 at 3:01.29.
University Liberia Athletics Champion: A Symbol of Unity
This victory was more than just numbers—in total, UL achieved 139 medals—over Stella Maris Polytechnic (38), Smythe University (14), and BlueCrest University College (13). This was a national victory. It showed that university athletics in Liberia can foster discipline, excellence, and unity.
UL’s success isn’t just about training. It’s about community. Coaching support, student motivation, and peer encouragement all played a role. Each athlete carried more than their personal ambition; they carried school spirit, national hope, and the future of Liberian sport.
The Federation’s Vision for Growth
Liberia Athletics Federation (LAF) President Mulbah Zaza confirmed that scouts had already selected standout athletes for national youth teams. “We saw athletes we didn’t know existed,” he said. “Some of them have already been recruited for upcoming international athletic events.”
Zaza aims to formalize the link between universities and national athletic development. Annual championships like this one could be key. “We will work with these universities through their sports departments to organize this championship yearly,” he added.
Supporting the Next Generation
This inaugural championship also highlighted the need for better facilities, coaching programs, and athlete scholarships. Now all universities have to consider how to be competitive—not necessarily in the classroom, but in athletics. UL should be the role model for the rest.
Assisting student-athletes in their quest for excellence can mean a more nationally recognized university exposure, better alumni relations in athletics, and maybe even some international connections. The sky is the limit from mentorship programs between sports and academics to fundraising for off-season training camps; nutritional supplementation can go a long way.
What This Means for Liberia
The championship may be over, but its ripple effects are just beginning. For Liberia, these athletes could become the foundation for Olympic qualification, Pan-African sports diplomacy, and more.
With the right support, today’s campus heroes could become tomorrow’s national icons. As one coach put it, “If you want to find Liberia’s next great sprinter, look no further than your local university.”
Looking Ahead: The Road to More Gold
For UL, the focus now shifts to sustaining their momentum. The athletics department has already begun planning off-season training and regional competitions. More local meets will give underclassmen the chance to step up.
And for Liberia as a whole, this championship provides a model worth repeating. With clear collaboration between universities and the LAF, university athletics can serve not just as entertainment—but as a serious path to global recognition.
