Local Liberian boxer, Timothy Williams, has promised to put on a great show for Liberia at the upcoming All African Games kicking of tomorrow in Ghana, despite the huge financial constraints faced by the Liberia Boxing Federation in taking him and three other athletes to the competition.
The local boxer, who is a one of four boxers selected to represent Liberia in the upcoming All African Games in Ghana, beginning Friday, March 8, 2024, promised to put the country on the map with an amazing performance during the African Olympics.
Williams said he will prove to the outside world that Liberia has great local boxers that are capable of competing in any international competition, by taking all of his energy and potential to the All-African Games.
Timothy spoke to journalists on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, during his regular training at the Liberia Boxing Association head office in Monrovia, where he expressed optimism that the country’s boxing delegation will be part of the tournament that promotes African countries and gives them a spirit of love and recreation through sportsmanship.
He explained that, despite his international participation in a competition that took place in Sierria Leone some years back, he believes that the All-African stage is a bigger one to promote the Liberian flag and cultural setting to the rest of the continent.
“Though I participated in an international competition in Sierra Leone few years back and made a brand, but this is my first time playing in All African Games. I did not see this opportunity coming, most especially at this time, but what I can say is hard work pays and this has inspired me to go and make a great representation in that competition,” Timothy narrated.
On the Liberian boxers’ delegation to Ghana, Timothy Williams will be joined by a lone female boxer, Grace Fahnbulleh of Canada, Freddy Kiwit from Europe, and Jeroson Gardward from the United States of America.
In a related conversation with a local radio talk-show in Monrovia, the national head coach of Liberia National Boxing team, Arku Kortee, raised an SOS call to the public appealing for support to have the full expenses of the team and players covered during the tournament.
Arku Kortee called on the government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to direct a portion of its support to individual sports that are recognized at the continental level, and make available resources that will support the game going to the next stage.
Coach Kortee added that individual sports have, over the years, been abandoned by the government, while few federations and sporting associations are gaining mammoth support from the government, describing it as something that is unfair to other athletes.
“Individual sports have greater advantage than collective sports. A single athlete can achieve a medal and cover the entire team, but in collective sports, a single defeat affects the entire team,” he noted.
Commenting on the selection of Timothy Williams among many local athletes, Coach Arku Kortee indicated that the local boxer has demonstrated all efforts and excellent output to have been unanimously decided by the body for him to represent the country.
