The President of Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation, Ambassador Lionel Johnson informed the media that Liberia has been fined eight thousand United States dollars by the International Wheel Chair Basketball Federation.
According to him, the fine came as the result of the local body withdrawing its team from just-ended South Africa under 23 Men International World Wheel Chair Basketball Championship.
Ambassador Johnson in conversation with Reports231 on Tuesday explained that IWBF has also threatened to impose three years suspension on Liberia’s failure to pay the fine of eight thousand United States dollars.
The disabled federation President also said the International Wheel Chair Basketball Federation has asked every member country to begin using the regular wheelchairs for the sport or risks being left out of major competitions.
He mentioned that Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation will officially host its first competitive league on March 27, 2022, since the federation was established in 2018.
“I am show that Liberia will have its first recognized Wheel Chair Basketball teams for both males and females following the climax of the league. For example, after several meetings with the officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we were told to host our 1st tournament as a federation which will enable us to select players for the national teams. Again, we were told by officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Deputy Sports Minister James Toee, and Deputy Sports Director Kesseley Kanneh that, the Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation does not have a team for now, but they encourage us to have a recognize league to select players. Based on these arrangements, I am giving the public hope of the country’s first national wheelchair basketball teams for males and females, Ambassador Johnson said”.
Ambassador Johnson acknowledged that the league which was to be staged on February 21-27 of this year was pushed to March 27, 2022, due to financial difficulties faced by the federation.
He maintained that the league will feature four teams including two male and two female teams.
“The league will be a one-day invent due to financial difficulties. We are presently in seven (7) Counties with 168 wheelchair basketball players. In Montserrado County, we have ten wheelchair basketball clubs with 120 players; most of whom are females”, the Liberia Wheel Chair Basketball Federation President informed the public.
Reported by Sports Director: Sylvester Tamba
Email: stamba498@gmail.com
Phone number: +231776687195
Whatsapp number: +231776687195
