Monrovia—The Liberia Chess Federation is calling on the Government of Liberia and humanitarian organizations to support the federation because it’s a game that is changing the lives of many young Liberians.
Speaking to a team of journalists at a one-day chess and football event on Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Monrovia, the federation’s president, Thomas Karyah said they need more financial assistance at the moment.
According to Karyah, the male and female teams of the country are massively preparing to participate in the upcoming September 2024 World Chess Olympiad in Hungary, and as such, they need adequate preparations for the tournament.
“Support has been one of the toughest challenges we face on a daily basis as a federation. To gather our athletes for training on a weekly basis is very challenging”.
“Despite government is supporting us through the national budget so the federation can run it operation, we need more support to help our athletes improve. 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, he said.
The LCF President says the performance of chess players in recent international tournament has given him a motivation to believe that if more resources are invested for urgent development of Chess in Liberia, the country could make a greater impact in the sport worldwide.
“I personally believe that if we invest in the more in Chess, the country will make a very make a impact in the not too distance” said Mr. Karyah.
Meanwhile, two athletes of the federation Bobby Ballah and Princess K. Banney are appealing to the government to see reason and support them.
According to them, as chess players they have huge interest in the sport, adding that they feel happy playing at all times.
“We need urgent help from whoever that 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.
