Monrovia – In an effort of contributing to the improvement of basketball in Liberia, the Cummings Africa Foundation (CAF) has identified with several High school female teams and the YMCA old Timer Basketball Association.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
CAF made the donation of several basketballs and jerseys to participating teams of a one day basketball tournament it organized in collaboration with the YMCA Old Timer Social and Athletic basketball Association on Saturday, November 25.
Schools that took part include the Don Bosco Polytechnic, Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Michael and St. Theresa Convent Catholic Schools.
Other teams that participated in the event held at the YMCA gymnasium on Broad Street were the Old Timers of Brewerville, Cabra Estate, Paynesville, the All Star Female Old Timers and the YMCA Old Timers Basketball Association.
Presenting the items to each of the participating teams, the Executive Director of CAF, Fatu Gbedema noted that the gesture is CAF’s initial contribution towards the promotion of basketball in Liberia, especially with the high school female teams.
Madam Gbedema added that under its education program, CAF will partner with the YMCA Old Timers and veteran female basketball players to use the game as an effective tool to promote women leadership development initiatives.
She averred disclosed that the women Old Timers will collaborate with YMCA in promoting the sport among girls within the various high schools.
“We are very excited to be here. You cannot develop basket ball and leave the children out. With the necessary support, they will be in a better position to develop and take the sport to another level. This is just the beginning; and coming next year, CAF will partner with the YMCA to take basketball to another level,” she averred.
She also revealed that plans are underway for CAF to partner with Matee Ajavon, a Liberian International female basketball star who plays in the Women’s National Basket Association (WNBA) in the United States to undertake some projects for the promotion of the game in Liberia and to serve as role model for young and promising Liberian basketball players.
Also speaking, the President of the YMCA Old Timer Social and Athletic basketball Association, Boniface Satu thank CAF for the initiative and stressed the need to work with the high schools to develop basketball in Liberia.
“I think it is our responsibility to work with the high schools to develop basketball. For the LBA (Liberia basketball Association) teams to be better, we need our high schools to be competitive.”
“I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to Madam Gbedema and CAF for their desire to work with us to improve basketball in Liberia; and many thanks for bringing all these jerseys and balls. We look forward to working with you to take basketball to another level,” Satu noted.
Meanwhile, the Sisters of ST. Theresa Convent took home the giant-size Alexander B. Cummings Trophy after thrashing St Michael 15 to 0 points. Earlier Don Bosco whipped Cathedral 15 to 7 points.
The all day basketball fiesta held at the YMCA basketball arena on Broad Street saw the YMCA Old Timers beating their Brewerville counterpart 24-19; and the Paynesville Old Timers showing supremacy over the Oldies of Cabra Estate of Old Road, Sinkor 44 to 34 points.
The Cummings Africa Foundation (CAF) is a humanitarian organization founded by Mr. Alexander B. Cummings to render basic social services to Africans, with Liberians being of no exception.
In addition to its several interventions in the education sector, CAF is also impacting other sectors in the Liberian society including Health.
It can be recalled that in May, 2017, CAF donated a consignment of medical equipment and supplies worth over half a million United States Dollars to six referral hospitals in Liberia including the Rennie Hopsital in Margibi, Government Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa, C.B. Dunbar in Gbarnga, Bong County, the Curran Lutheran Hospital in Lofa, Fish Town Hospital in River Gee and the J.J. Dossen Hospital in Harper, Maryland County.