NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced the temporary closure of the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Stadium to allow for renovation, cleaning, maintenance and other improvement works ahead of upcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) fixtures expected to be hosted at the facility between September and October 2026.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
According to the Ministry, the closure will provide management of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex with the necessary time and access to carry out essential works aimed at improving the overall condition, cleanliness, safety and functionality of the national stadium and its surrounding areas.
The Ministry said the improvements are necessary to ensure that Liberia’s national stadium remains suitable for international football competitions while also providing a safer and better-maintained environment for members of the public who regularly use the facility.
The temporary closure will affect individuals and groups that routinely utilize the stadium, including exercise groups, fitness clubs, athletes and other users engaged in physical training and approved recreational activities.
The Ministry has therefore called on the public to take note of the closure and cooperate with the SKD management throughout the improvement period.
User Fees to Be Introduced After Reopening
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has also announced that a structured user-fee system will be introduced when the SKD Stadium reopens.
The fees will apply to persons, groups and organizations using designated areas of the facility for exercise, physical training, fitness activities and other approved recreational purposes.
The Ministry said the new fee system forms part of a broader facility-management strategy designed to support the regular maintenance, cleanliness and long-term sustainability of the stadium.
Officials emphasized that the introduction of the fees is not intended to discourage public use of the SKD Stadium. Instead, the Ministry said it is seeking to establish a more sustainable approach to managing a national public facility while ensuring that its use contributes directly to youth development.
Fees to Support Youth Development
According to the Ministry, proceeds generated from the approved use of the facility will be directed toward youth development initiatives in Montserrado County.
The initiatives are expected to prioritize young people, including disadvantaged and vulnerable youth, as well as young people living with mental and psychosocial challenges.
The programs will focus on inclusion, skills development, recreation, empowerment and creating improved opportunities for young people.
The Ministry said the approach is intended to link the management of national sporting infrastructure with broader efforts to improve the wellbeing and empowerment of Liberia’s youth.
CAF Preparations Drive Closure
The temporary closure comes as Liberia prepares for international football activities under the Confederation of African Football.
The Ministry said the renovation and maintenance works are part of preparations to ensure that the SKD Stadium is in an appropriate condition to accommodate upcoming CAF fixtures.
Beyond the football fixtures, the Ministry said the improvements will also benefit ordinary Liberians who use the stadium for exercise, fitness and recreational purposes.
The Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium remains one of Liberia’s principal sporting facilities and has historically served as a major venue for national and international football activities.
The Ministry said management will provide additional information on the reopening date, approved user categories, applicable fees, designated areas and procedures for accessing the facility once those arrangements have been finalized.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has meanwhile appealed for public understanding and cooperation as the stadium undergoes the planned improvements.
It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Liberia’s national sporting infrastructure and ensuring that public facilities contribute meaningfully to the development, wellbeing and empowerment of young people across the country.
