Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Intellectual Property Office, in collaboration with the Sports Writers Association of Liberia, is set to commemorate World Intellectual Property Day on Monday, April 27, 2026, with a national program aimed at advancing the role of intellectual property in sports.
Observed globally under the theme “IP and Sports,” this year’s celebration seeks to highlight the critical role intellectual property plays in the development, promotion, and commercialization of the sports industry.
In line with the global observance, the Government of Liberia has adopted the national theme: “Registering the Game: Unlocking the Commercial Power of Sport through Intellectual Property in Liberia.”
The event will bring together key national stakeholders, policymakers, and sports journalists from across Monrovia and surrounding communities. It will be held at the headquarters of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office at the Old Labour Ministry Building, behind Public Works on UN Drive.
In a release issued on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, LIPO Director General Garmai Koboi stressed that intellectual property is not merely a legal concept, but a practical economic development tool that has remained underutilized within Liberia’s sports industry for far too long.
According to Hon. Koboi, the April 27 celebration is intended to bridge that gap by raising awareness among athletes, clubs, journalists, and other sports stakeholders on how IP registration can transform their work and talents into measurable commercial value.
“At LIPO, we are committed to working hand-in-hand with the sports community to ensure that Liberia’s creative and athletic talents are not just celebrated, but protected and monetized. World IP Day 2026 is a call to action for clubs, athletes, journalists, and policymakers alike,” she noted.
The President of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia, Varmah V. Kamara, will serve as a panelist, contributing to high-level discussions under the sub-theme: “Protecting the Game: How Intellectual Property Registration Can Unlock Commercial Value for Liberian Football Clubs and Athletes.”
Mr. Kamara emphasized the significance of the initiative, describing it as a major step forward in equipping sports journalists who are frontliners in sports promotion with the critical knowledge needed to drive awareness, protect creative assets, and enhance the commercial growth of Liberian football.
“By understanding and promoting intellectual property rights, we can help clubs and athletes protect their brands, attract investment, and unlock new commercial opportunities that will transform Liberian sports,” he emphasized.
Other panelists expected at the event include Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia, and Murvee Gray, Assistant Minister for Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with other distinguished voices from Liberia’s sports and policy landscape.
The 2026 observance underscores the growing urgency to deepen awareness and strengthen the protection of intellectual property assets within Liberia’s sports sector, positioning IP as a key driver for innovation, revenue generation, and sustainable growth in the industry.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
