Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberia National Wheel Chair Basketball Federation is calling on the Government of Liberia and humanitarian organizations to support the federation.
Speaking to several members of the Sports Writers Association of Liberia recently in Paynesville, the Founder and President of the Liberia National WheelChair Basketball federation, Ambassador Lionel Johnson said they are in need of over one hundred wheelchairs and financial assistance.
According to Ambassador Johnson, the Liberia WheelChair Basketball federation under 23 is massively preparing to participate in the upcoming December 2021 International WheelChair Basketball Championship in South Africa, and as such, they need adequate preparations for the tournament.
“Transportation has been one of the toughest challenges we face on a daily basis as disable federation. To gather our athletes for practices on a daily basis is very challenging”.
” We need a bus to help us transport our athletes. This is why we are calling on well meaning Liberians, Philanthropist organizations, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports to help us in whatever way”.
” Now, even the wheel chairs we are using currently for the athletes are not the original. We need wheelchairs to enhance our sport”
” We are disable and we need serious attention, up to present, we have not renewed our registration with the International WheelChair Basketball Association, Ambassador Johnson told the media”.
Meanwhile, two athletes of the federation Tarpla Chea and Venesa Dennis are appealing to the government to see reason and support them. According to them, as disables they have huge interest in the sport, adding that they feel happy playing at all times.
” We need urgent help from whoever is following us. We are very much challenged at this stage. We don’t want our dreams for this sport to die. This is the reason we are making these calls for the government, well-meaning Liberian, Philanthropist organizations to help us.
” For example, to even leave our various places to come for practice here at the SKD Sports Gymnasium is not easy. At times for a vehicle to bring us here or to agree to transport us due to our conditions is very much challenging”. They said”.
