Emmanuel Chayee Crowned Liberia’s Debut National Pickle-Ball Competition Champion

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: Emmanuel Chayee has engraved his name in Liberia’s sporting history after emerging as the first-ever national pickle-ball champion, defeating Perry Johnson in a thrilling final match held at the Invincible Sports Park in over the weekend.

The one-day championship, organized by the Liberia Pickle-Ball Association (LPA), brought together 16 competitors from various clubs and institutions.

The daylong tournament marked the first national competition since the sport’s introduction and the founding of the association in 2024—a milestone that showcased the steady growth of pickle-ball across Liberia.

Chayee, known for his discipline and determination, displayed exceptional composure and court mastery throughout the tournament.

His combination of quick reflexes, strategic serves, and precise volleys helped him overpower Johnson in conservative sets, securing his place as the pioneer champion of a sport still in its infant stage in Liberia.

Beyond his pickle-ball champion success, Chayee is no stranger to representing Liberia on the international stage.

From a humble background, Chayee has been a key figure in Liberian sports, having represented the nation in tennis competitions in Togo and other African countries.

His journey from local courts to continental arenas has inspired many young athletes striving to overcome hardship through sports.

Following his historic victory, Chayee earned the right—alongside runner-up Perry Johnson—to represent Liberia at the inaugural West Africa Regional Pickle-ball Tournament, slated for November 27–29 in Accra, Ghana.

The event will feature top players from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and other nations in a regional showcase aimed at boosting pickle-ball’s popularity across West Africa.

Speaking to K-News Sports Desk after his win, Chayee expressed gratitude and optimism about the future of the sport.

“This means a lot to me and to every young Liberian athlete coming from nothing. Pickle-ball may be new here, but it has the power to unite and transform lives just like any major sport,” he told K-News Sports Desk.

The Liberia Pickle-ball Association has hailed Cheayee’s achievement as a national breakthrough, praising his hard work and consistency.

The Association noted that his victory symbolizes the power of determination and the potential of Liberian youth in new sporting disciplines.

The association plans to build on this success by introducing pickle-ball programs in schools, organizing regional tournaments, and seeking government and corporate partnerships.

With Emmanuel Chayee now leading the way, Liberia’s entry into the international pickle-ball competition scene marks a new era of opportunity for the nation’s young athletes.