Liberia is making history at the 2025 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) U23 Men’s Africa Championship, marking its first-ever appearance on the international wheelchair basketball stage.
The championship, which kicked off on February 6, 2025, at the Mandeville Indoor Sports Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, runs until February 12, 2025. The tournament brings together six teams from across the African continent, including host South Africa, DR Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, and Egypt.
This event is not just a competition; it serves as the African qualifier for the 2025 IWBF U23 Men’s World Championship, to be held in São Paulo, Brazil. One team will earn the coveted chance to compete on the world stage, making every match a crucial battle for a place at the global event.
Organized by Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA), the championship features a well-rounded program with player eligibility testing, team classification, technical and coaching workshops, and an intense competition schedule, culminating in the semi-finals, playoffs, and finals.
Ambassador Lionel Johnson, a leading figure in Liberia’s wheelchair basketball development, expressed pride in his country’s participation. “This is a new beginning for Liberia in wheelchair basketball,” he stated, emphasizing that the event represents a significant opportunity for young Liberians with physical challenges to showcase their talents.
Ambassador Johnson also commended the Liberian government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for underwriting the team’s travel costs. “We are deeply grateful for the government’s support, which has made this historic debut possible,” he said.
The tournament introduces Liberia to the global sports arena, a remarkable milestone for the nation under Ambassador Johnson’s leadership. Wheelchair basketball, a dynamic sport that combines athleticism and strategy, sees players maneuvering across the court in wheelchairs while aiming to score points for their team. It follows the same rules as standing basketball, with slight adaptations, such as adjustments for the use of wheelchairs and a focus on accessible competition.
This debut signals not only Liberia’s growth in the sport but also an encouraging step for the development of wheelchair basketball across Africa. The championship offers an invaluable platform for athletes to gain experience, improve their skills, and inspire future generations of athletes with physical disabilities.
As Liberia competes with Africa’s finest, the world will be watching and cheering for their first-ever appearance in a competition that promises to further elevate the profile of disabled sports in Africa and beyond.