Basketball fans in Liberia are gearing up for an exciting off-season showdown as Vision Basketball prepares to launch the maiden edition of the Monrovia Madness All-Star Basketball Festival.
The highly anticipated tournament, featuring ten communities, will take place from April 2-6, 2025, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Gymnasium in Paynesville. Participating teams will represent Logan Town, Duport Road, New Kru Town, Sinkor, Barnersville, Brewerville, ELWA, Gardnersville, Central Monrovia, and Old Road.
Unveiled at a recent ceremony in Monrovia, the tournament aims to keep the basketball spirit alive during the off-season while fostering talent and community engagement. Vision Basketball, the organizers, plan to make it an annual event.
Speaking at the launch, Jacob Kabakollie, Chairman of Vision Basketball, announced that the winning community will receive a new mini basketball court, which will be named after a legendary figure who has significantly impacted the sport in Liberia.
“This tournament is not just about competition; it’s about leaving a lasting impact on communities and giving young players a platform to shine,” Kabakollie stated.
The competition will also feature exhibition matches from four old-timer teams and two female teams, adding to the excitement. Additionally, tournament rules require each participating community to field at least one foreign player, provided the player resides in that community.
The event will climax with a special Award Ceremony and Dinner Night, recognizing outstanding performances and contributions to basketball development.
Kabakollie, who played a key role in Liberia’s participation in the 2023 Africa Basketball Festival in Accra, Ghana, reaffirmed his commitment to growing the sport.
With Monrovia Madness set to become an annual basketball spectacle, fans can look forward to thrilling action as communities battle for supremacy and a lasting legacy.