MONROVIA — Monday, November 9, 2026 — Lofa County Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus says delayed delivery of materials for the Voinjama sports pitch was the main reason the county could not host Group C matches in the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet. He also says Lofa now needs about US$175,000 to prepare its teams for the competition.
Cyrus, who chairs the County Sports Steering Committee, gave the explanation during ELBC’s Super Sports programme on Saturday, November 7, according to FrontPage Africa’s report published November 9. His account adds detail to the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ earlier announcement that technical assessments found Lofa was not adequately prepared to host the opening ceremony and Group C games.
Senator says pitch materials are still delayed
Cyrus said nearly eight containers of technical and sporting materials needed to complete the Voinjama field were expected to arrive by September 26. He said the expected arrival date was later shifted several times, with the latest information pointing to November 16.
The senator attributed the delay to shipping disruptions linked to the wider international situation. HeartTalk has not independently verified the reported port and shipping disruption or the revised arrival date, so those details remain attributed to Cyrus rather than established independently by this newsroom.
He said the pitch contract had originally been planned for 24 months, but county officials pushed for completion within 11 months. He also said the contractor had mobilized local materials and cleared the field ahead of the remaining work.
Temporary hosting would have carried extra cost
According to Cyrus, temporarily preparing the field for the group stage would have cost the county at least US$8,000 to mobilize and demobilize within a few weeks. He said the steering committee decided that spending the money for such a short period would not be practical while the permanent turf work remained incomplete.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports’ November 4 notice moved the opening ceremony to the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Montserrado County and designated Grand Bassa County to host Group C. The ministry’s announcement cited its assessment of readiness and logistical arrangements; it did not provide the shipment details later described by the senator.
Lofa committee says team preparation needs US$175,000
Cyrus said the steering committee had prepared a US$175,000 budget for training, feeding, accommodation, fuel and per diem for players. He said that, at the time of his radio interview, the only contribution received was US$5,000 from Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah.
Those figures are the senator’s account of the committee’s budget and contributions. HeartTalk has not seen the detailed budget, bank records or a public fundraising ledger. The committee should publish a cost breakdown and a transparent record of contributions so residents at home and in the diaspora can see how funds will be used.
What supporters should watch
The next practical milestones are confirmation of the turf materials’ arrival, a public work schedule for the Voinjama pitch, and a clear preparation plan for Lofa’s teams. The committee’s budget should identify the number of players and officials to be supported, the duration of training camp, accommodation arrangements and expected transport costs.
Lofa’s change of hosting role is already covered in HeartTalk’s November 6 report. This follow-up adds the senator’s explanation and the preparation budget he disclosed; it does not change the Ministry’s published venue arrangements.
Related HeartTalk coverage
- County Sports Meet Opening Moves to Monrovia as Grand Bassa Takes Group C Hosting Role
- Nimba Hosts Return of Upcountry Basketball Tournament; Ministry Notices Differ on School Roster
Sources
- FrontPage Africa, “Liberia: Sen. Cyrus: Lofa Lost County Meet Hosting Over Delayed Turf Materials,” November 9, 2026; reporting on his November 7 ELBC interview.
- Liberia Ministry of Youth and Sports, “Ministry Announces Change in Hosting Arrangements for 2026 National County Sports Meet,” November 4, 2026.
Editorial note: The shipment explanation, US$8,000 temporary-preparation estimate, US$175,000 team budget and reported contribution total are attributed to Senator Cyrus. HeartTalk has not independently verified the underlying shipping records or committee accounts.
HeartTalk Network — Speaking from the Heart.
Verification note: The explanations about the shipment, the revised November 16 arrival estimate, the temporary US$8,000 preparation cost and the proposed US$175,000 team budget are attributed to Senator Cyrus as reported by FrontPage Africa from his November 7 ELBC interview. The Ministry of Youth and Sports’ November 4 notice confirms the hosting change but does not independently confirm the shipment explanation or financial figures. HeartTalk has not reviewed shipping documents, contractor records or the County Sports Steering Committee’s accounts, and had no on-record response from the Ministry or contractor in the material reviewed for this article. These details remain attributed and subject to confirmation.
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