MONROVIA – Athletes living with disabilities in Liberia, the dream of competing, winning medals and representing their country often comes with challenges beyond the playing field. Limited access to specialized facilities, equipment and training opportunities can make the journey to sporting success even harder.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected]
But Amb. S. Lionel Johnson, founder of the proposed Liberia National Disability Sports Village, envisions a future where those barriers can be reduced and athletes with disabilities have greater opportunities to shine.
The proposed project, estimated to cost between US$261 million and US$506 million or more over 10 years, seeks to establish a dedicated home for disability sports, beginning with a national high-performance wheelchair basketball center before expanding into an international sports destination.
The proposal is about more than buildings and basketball courts. It is about dignity, opportunity and creating an environment where athletes with disabilities can develop their talents and compete on a more equal footing.
For young Liberians who dream of wearing their country’s colors but face barriers to participation, the proposed village could open doors to new possibilities.
The project plan envisions accessible sports facilities, specialized coaching, sports medicine and technical support. If realized, it could also create employment opportunities, attract international partnerships and give greater visibility to Liberian athletes with disabilities.
The proposed village comes at a time when the Government of Liberia is implementing its ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), the 2025–2029 National Development Plan, which prioritizes agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation and tourism. The plan also emphasizes human capital development, infrastructure, inclusion and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The LNDSV could complement these priorities by creating opportunities in sports, rehabilitation, vocational training and employment while promoting greater participation by persons with disabilities in national life.
The ARREST Agenda’s Program 52 specifically addresses inclusive sports and recreational infrastructure. Its stated objectives include developing inclusive sports centers, expanding rehabilitation and recreation services, nurturing sporting talent and improving opportunities for young Liberians to compete internationally.
The ambition faces a major hurdle: funding.
The plan proposes support from the Government of Liberia, development banks, international partners, donors and private investors. However, the projected financing remains to be secured, with feasibility studies and detailed designs still required.
For the dream to become reality, the project must go beyond construction. Athletes with disabilities must have a meaningful voice in shaping the facilities, while long-term plans must ensure that training, equipment and support services remain accessible and affordable.
If successfully implemented, the village could mark an important step toward a more inclusive sporting future for Liberia.
Johnson, the vision represents an opportunity to help create a space where disability does not define an athlete’s limits, but where talent, determination and opportunity can take center stage.
The greatest measure of this dream will not be the size of the investment, but the lives it changes and whether every athlete, regardless of disability, gets a fair chance to compete, belong and succeed.
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