Monrovia – A newly renovated basketball court has been officially opened in New Kru Town.
The River Edge Basketball Association Court that is located in Lagoon was renovated by a group of former basketball players of Liberia called Great Basketball Players based in the United States of America.
The basketball court that is run by REBA renovation works includes upgrading the seating capacity, modern rims and bathrooms.
Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson speaking during the ceremony to commission the court appreciated Great Ball Players for such transformation of court.
He said it is important to take sports to the communities because it will scout more young talents.
The minister disclosed that the chief patron of Sports George M.Weah instructed him to tell the youth that he will electrify the court for night games.
“The President wants me to inform you that he will put lights here for this court.
“This court is for you the young people, we hope you will help to protect this facility because if you don’t protect it, people from far will not protect it for you so use it wisely,” Minister Wilson said.
For his part, Montserrado County District 16 Representative, Dixon Sebo, who is also a member of REBA thanked Great Ball Players -USA for renovating the only basketball court in the area.
“Many people feel nothing good can come out of New Kru Town, so for this to renovated speaks volumes.
“For you our colleagues in the US who thought it wise to come here we say a very big thank you because you could have taken your project another place but you choose New Kru Town.
“We want to assure you under the leadership of Samuel Weah as president of REBA we are not going to stop here. If we had all the authority over this place we would love to see a closed basketball court,” Representative Dixon Seboe said
The District 16 lawmaker urged the community members to make use of the basketball court.
“We want our children to have positive alternatives,” Representative Seboe said.
Serving as keynote speaker during the ceremony Lawrence Sayeh of GBP-USA said the project is intended to spark and help attract young and upcoming athletes toward the sport of basketball and other athletic activities.
According to Mr. Seyeh, his organization wants to improve basketball courts in other parts of the country including Barnesville, Paynesville Congo Town old Road and many Community on the outskirts of Monrovia.
“The rehabilitation of REBA basketball court will not only serve the youth in and around this Community but will also be seen as a major sport attraction to many in city and uptown basketball, who will be seen commuting to New Kru Town to join and participate in major basketball tournaments including the use of the court as a regular practice venue,” he said.
He called on other Liberians in the diaspora and non-profit organizations to emulate their example.