BARNESVILLE, GARDNERSVILLE TOWNSHIP — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., paid a courtesy visit yesterday to former Lone Star player and coach Josiah Nils Johnson, affectionately known as “JNJ.” The visit served as a formal recognition of the veteran’s monumental contributions to sports, particularly the development of soccer in Liberia.
“I admire those who have contributed to the development of sports in Liberia,” President Boakai remarked. “That is why I am here today to recognize and give back to those who have given so much to our sporting community.”
The Liberian leader acknowledged that while he was never an athlete himself—having spent his early years consumed by work and personal responsibilities his interest in nurturing Liberia’s next generation of athletes remains strong. Grounding his visit in the principle that one must remember the past to prepare for the future, President Boakai expressed the nation’s collective gratitude to the former coach.
“We have not forgotten you,” President Boakai told Johnson. “The country remembers your invaluable contributions, given at a time when compensation was minimal. We appreciate you.”
During the visit, President Boakai made a personal financial contribution to Mr. Johnson’s well-being and committed to offering immediate solutions for some of the pressing challenges facing the sports icon.
Coach JNJ, who represented the national team as a midfielder from 1958 to 1971 before serving as Head Coach from 1971 to 1979, notably leading Liberia to victory over Ghana’s Black Stars in the Six Nations Tournament, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture.
“Here, your flowers are given to you,” Coach JNJ said, thanking the President on behalf of his family. “My entire family is grateful for this visit; it will be remembered throughout our history.”
Johnson also praised the administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly the road development in his home region of South-Eastern Liberia, noting that travel times from Maryland County to Monrovia have significantly reduced.
The visit also highlighted broader government efforts to support retired athletes. Under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Boakai administration initiated a token sponsorship program for the Former Lonestar Players Association. Association Chairman Washington Blay confirmed that retired players currently receive subsidies through the Ministry’s budget, expressing hope that funding will increase to further assist former national stars facing personal hardships.
Comments are closed.