The People’s Republic of China (Mainland China) has accepted in principle to carry out a comprehensive renovation of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, which lies in ruins due to its occupation by thousand of IDPs.
This will be preceded by an assessment to be conducted by a Chinese team of experts arriving in Liberia soon.
Disclosing this Monday during confirmation hearings at the Capitol, Youth and Sports Minister-designate, Cllr. Wheatonia Dixon-Barnes said the Chinese decision was in response to a proposal submitted by the Ministry.
According to Cllr. Barnes, the Chinese initiative would complete the Sports complex including the basketball court as well as the hotel, which when completed, would save government the difficulties in affording hotel costs for both the national team and visiting soccer teams.

Meanwhile, Cllr. Barnes said the Ministry would soon undertake a clean-up campaign at the SKD. She noted that discussions have been completed with LRRRC and NGOs working with IDPs for their resettlement by the end of this month.

"Once the complex is renovated, it would be used for international friend-lies for the Lone Star, in preparation for the African and World Cup qualifiers," MYS Minister-designate Barnes disclosed.

She then promised to encourage old players of the Lone Star including George Weah to return and help build a national youth team that will succeed them (Old players) tomorrow.

At the same time, Cllr. Barnes told the house committee on Youth and Sports that now is the time to empower Liberian youths to enhance their performance.

This, according to the Minister, would ensure that they form part of national decision-making.

Cllr. Barnes assured the lawmakers of her preparedness to work with a team of professionals at the Ministry and order national sporting bodies like the LFA, to make the youths realize their full potentials.

She said already 15 registered youth organizations have been invited to submit their report on their past activities and will be encouraged to write proposals that would involve their communities.