Monrovia – Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation with support from the Chinese government has constructed the first Open Air wheelchair basketball court in the history of the Country.
The construction of the court ended the controversy of people with disability being provoked from using other facilities.
By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
Following the completion of the thousands of United States dollars project, it was officially dedicated on Friday, February 3, 2023.
The project is located at the famous SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Ren Yisheng boosted of numerous projects undertaken by the People’s Republic of China in Liberia.
Ambassador Yisheng believes with the relationship between the two nations, China will continue to play her friendly part to ensure Liberia realizes the friendship.
“We don’t regret doing this for people living with disability in Liberia because in China, we have up to 85 million disabled people and you just think about it”.
“And this is a small project, but I believe we will have a better one in the future,” Ambassador Yisheng said.
For his part, the President and founder of Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation, Ambassador Lionel Johnson, highlighted that he is the happiest man in Liberia now, adding that, to see a court built for his fellow disabled is something beyond his imagination.
According to him, the federation will conduct its first national league with six clubs because of the well-prepared facilities.
I must be thankful to the People’s Republic of China through their Embassy in Liberia and the government of Liberia for it continues support towards our federation.
” As you can see, we have a brand facility to peacefully conduct all our activities here which makes me very much happy, Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation President mentioned”.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Zeogar Wilson said the government does not provide funding for federations a minimum help.
He added that federations and associations lobbying for their own sponsors is welcoming.
“We will play our part as a government but remember, we can’t do everything for all the federations and associations,” he said.