The Deaf National team of Liberia has made the nation proud after clinching second place in the West Africa Deaf Sports Union Championship, held in the Gambia, this speaks volume that the disability is not inability, they too can compete.
A $100,000 United States dollars fundraising mobilization campaign has been launched to support the Liberia National Wheelchair Basketball team (LWBF) to South Africa, this December 6-11, 2021 for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Africa’s men under-23 qualifiers.
Disabled basketballers across the country are gearing up to represent the Liberia at the international event. To raise the necessary funding, a mobilization campaign has been launched by the King Buju Charity Foundation to support the wheelchair basketball team to South Africa.
To kickstart, the fundraiser the Solway Iron Ore Mining Company Inc. in Nimba County has donated the amount of $2,500USD to boost the team efforts as they embarked on generating approximately 170,000 United States dollars to enable Liberia be represented at the 2021 International Wheelchair Basketball Africa’s (IWBA) men qualifiers in Johannesburg.
According to Mr. Alford B. Morgan, (General Manager of the Solway Mining Inc.) the donation is an initial one by the mining company as part of effort to promoting disability through sports, He said Solway is committed to supporting the disabled by whatsever means.
” I was excited when i saw on the video that the disable were playing basketball, it was thrilled, and I said yes indeed we are getting somewhere, to see disabled playing basketball, like in other countries, which impress me a lot, Morgan said. He added, so when King Buju told me about their tournament I was always willing to make my contribution, and whatever impact i could, he said.
The Solway Inc, General Manager said, the Company will continue engaging the disabled as means of making them feel a part of the society.
“We as an entity will continued to support the disable in whatsoever because we feel they’re part of us, he said Morgan, references to other countries in the western world, where he said the disable are competing in every capacity of the society and stressed the need to developed people living with disability”, he said.
They’re human and can do what others can do, therefore they should be developed and integrated into the society, and not to be neglected or discriminated, Morgan intoned.
For his part, Amb. Lionel S. Johnson lauded the Solway Management for the initial contribution and pleaded for the company support toward disability in Liberia especially the Wheelchair Basketball Federation.
“We like to say thank you Solway for recognizing the wheelchair Basketball, we hope this shouldn’t be your first and last contribution to disability sports, but to continue such kind hearted endeavors to people living with disability and playing sports, Amb. Johnson said.
He described the donation as timely contribution, which will go down in history of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Liberia, as means of enabling us participate in the IWBF Championship, “we look forward of having partnership with you, so that you can continue your good support toward wheelchair basketball and the disability, Amb. Johnson said.
He used the occasion to call on the Liberian public to rally around the wheelchair Basketball team in whatever way they can so that, the team can achieved its goal by competing in the Africa’s Men U23 IWBF Championship.
“We are hoping that Liberian will show their support for these disability athletes who are pushing to the limits each and every day, with willingness to compete, we are on campaign to rise above $100,000USD to go to South Africa and participate in the tournament for the first time, so that our flag can be rise, therefore we need your support, he said.
Amb. Johnson said Liberia has a competitive team, that is able to bring back glory to the country, if the neccasary support is given to enable them participate in the tournament.
“We have a talent team, they’re ambitious and have their head up, it’s very important for them to get there. All these kids out there are competitive so just to be able to get out there and compete as athletes is a huge milestone for them,” Johnson said.
According to the initiative, the money when rise will be used to pay registration fees, food, accommodation, air travel tickets from Liberia to Johannesburg, hotels lodging, kit for players, buying of sports wheelchairs among others. As means of adequately preparing the team for the International Wheelchair Basketball Africa’s men U23 men qualifer in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Meanwhile, aside from the USD$2,500 support given to the Liberia National Wheelchair Basketball (LWBF)team by the Solway Iron ore mining company, others initial contributions was made on monday, 1st November 2021, when the mobilization funds was official launched.
On card, others who contributed are;
- King Buju Charity Foundation $500USD,
- Solway Mining Company $2,500USD
- Zoe Morgan Avary – Governmental Community Manager (Solway Mining Inc) contribute $USD500
- GIVE LIFE Foundation$500USD
- OTIS & BUJU (O&B) General Merchandise & services contributed $1,000USD
This bring to the total amount of $5,000 United State Dollars as they commerce on major fundraising rally for say one.
Meanwhile, the fundraising rally will continue on Tuesday, with the Bank Accounts, and mobile money service of the team, already widely open to the public.
Liberia is paired against South Africa, Rwanda and Kenya in Group A, of the International Wheelchair Basketball (IWBF) Africa’s men qualifier.
SOLWAY Mining Company Contributes hugely Towards Liberia Wheelchair Basketball Participation in Johannesburg, fundraising campaign opens
