Pres. Weah Breaks Ground for Sports Park in PHP Community

The sports park, which is expected to be completed in the next 12 months, according to the president, will contain a full outdoor gym, a children’s playground, two football fields, two basketball courts, and two volleyball courts, as well as a boardwalk (Photo: MCC)

Residents of the PHP Community in Central Monrovia and its environs are expected to benefit from a multi-purpose sports and recreation facility, the “PHP Unity Sports Park” in the next 12 months.

President George Weah on Thursday, August 5, broke ground for the construction of the new sporting facility. This is being done during the period when construction works at the Invincible Eleven Sports Park, located in the Fish Market Community, is nearing completion.   

“Today is a historical day for the people of the PHP Community and our country at large. It is an honor to stand here today and break ground where I previously lived with my aunt, Tinakon-Weti. This place, PHP, allowed me the opportunity to see and touch great national players of St. Jerry, I.E. and the Lone Star of Liberia,” President Weah said.

The park, which is expected to be completed in the next 12 months, according to the President, will contain “a full outdoor gym, a children’s playground, two football fields, two basketball courts, and two volleyball courts, as well as a boardwalk.” 

It will also contain restaurants, a grandstand, a souvenir shop, a National Unity Monument, an administrative building, car parks, and adequate sanitary and security facilities.

Funding for the project is being provided by the United Arab Emirates, through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and the Government of Liberia.

It is a dividend of Liberia’s bilateral ties with the UAE and a request made by President Weah during his visit to the Middle Eastern country in 2019.

“I proposed the concept of a sports and recreational facility to be built in Monrovia along one of our famous beach communities - PHP Community. This community not only has a strong history of producing great athletes, but is also a historical place which reminds us all of the importance of peace and unity. 

“This project was one of the first to be approved, although delayed by the COVID pandemic and the tendering process; it will be sponsored almost entirely by resources provided by the Government of the UAE through the Abu Dhabi Fund.  I would therefore like to thank my dear friend and brother, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, for once again keeping his promise to collaborate with us in tangible ways towards achieving our developmental agenda,” President Weah said.  

The President also called on residents of the surrounding communities to take ownership of the park when completed, as it will provide “a wholesome and healthy environment for our youths, as well as adults and older citizens, to interact with each other in well-maintained, safe, and professional premises.  It is also expected to provide useful employment opportunities for deserving Liberians, while giving a much-needed facelift to our capital city, Monrovia and specifically the surrounding areas of PHP and BTC (Barclay Training Center).”