Sport (County Meet) as a Unifying Force but a Miscalculated Prescription for Reconciliation in Liberia: A Meticulous Sociological Analysis

Judging from the caption, this article, using the qualitative research approach, interrogates an interesting social phenomenon that the global community may not easily accept. The data collection sourced from relevant literature review comprised of articles, books, journals, and the web paged. From the structural-functionalist or functionalism, and the conflict perspective termed as the theoretical frameworks, this paper doubts not the efficacy of sports, precisely the County Meet observed in Libera as a unifying force bringing together but a miscalculated prescription for reconciliation in Liberia. It sees sports as an emotional strategy or intervention but unrelated to the root causes of conflict that does not remove the semblances underlying the causes of the very conflict. The paper argues that, as a context-driven concept, reconciliation is dictated by a society based on the nature, gravity, or complexity of the conflict. In the case of Liberia, this article argues that evidenced by the demand for justice, the Liberian society does not place a premium on sports (County Meet) as a pillar and strategy for reconciliation. Judging from other societies that are still struggling with the ugly legacy and semblances of violent conflict despite the observance of sports as a tool for reconciliation, the paper concluded that although the Liberian society embraced the County Meet as a unifier but does not see it as a durable solution because it has nothing to do with the root causes of the 14 years of civil war. In other words, the civil war was not about the denial of sports. So, why use it as a strategy or invention to reconcile Liberia? Instead, the war was also about the issue of justice. Finally, the paper through recommendation called upon practitioners and experts in the theater of peace and conflict studies to rethink sports as a unifying force to reconcile society emerging from violent conflict.