Desert FC Marks Liberia’s Flag Day with Sports and SDG Awareness Campaign

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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Desert FC celebrated Liberia’s Flag Day in a vibrant and meaningful way, combining sports activities with a powerful awareness campaign on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, held opposite the Cape Hotel in Mamba Point, Monrovia, drew a large turnout of community members, athletes, and local leaders.

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of SDG symbols and presentations aimed at raising public awareness about global sustainable development efforts. Seventeen representatives from Desert FC each took the stage to introduce and recite one of the 17 SDGs. This was followed by an overview delivered by Joestina Wilson, who explained the relevance and importance of the goals.

“The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030 , regardless of a country’s economic status,” Wilson stated.

The SDGs tackle a wide range of interconnected global challenges including climate change, poverty, gender inequality, education, clean energy, peace, justice, and more. Desert FC’s effort to promote them locally is part of a broader commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship.

Since January 2025, Desert FC has been conducting weekly beach cleaning exercises at Mamba Point Beach. The beach, which serves as the club’s Sunday football practice ground, is situated near two five-star hotels and is seen as a potential tourism hub. The cleanup initiative reflects Desert FC’s mission to promote Liberia’s coastal heritage while raising awareness on environmental sustainability.

The Flag Day celebration also featured beach soccer, kickball, and volleyball exhibitions, engaging both residents and visitors throughout the day. These sporting activities were designed not only for recreation but also to foster unity and spark dialogue about Liberia’s role in achieving the SDGs.

“This event is not a one-off,” said one of the organizers. “It’s part of a long-term vision to show that community-driven initiatives can create real impact , even with limited financial resources.”

The campaign, launched just two months ago with a modest budget of $2,000 USD, has already mobilized significant community involvement. Organizers say it proves that awareness-raising, training activities, and environmental protection efforts can be effectively carried out without major funding.

“While funding is important, it is not a limiting factor,” the organizer added. “This initiative demonstrates that with commitment and collective effort, communities can make meaningful contributions to national development and sustainability.”

Desert FC plans to expand the reach of its SDG awareness campaign by engaging national institutions. According to organizers, a proposal is being prepared to present the program to both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This proposal will include PowerPoint presentations created by the youth of Desert FC, each focusing on one of the 17 SDGs.

“We’ve observed a significant gap in knowledge about the SDGs across Liberian society. By having youth present these goals in their own words and from their own perspectives, we aim to create a relatable and unifying approach to sustainability education,” the organizer said.

Desert FC’s Flag Day celebration exemplifies how grassroots sports organizations can serve as powerful platforms for education, environmental action, and community empowerment. As Liberia continues to advance toward its sustainable development goals, initiatives like these are lighting the way.