Paynesville – U.S.-based Liberian basketball coach Tarlouh Gasque is calling for increased financial support for the Liberia Basketball Association (LBA), emphasizing the transformative power of sports in youth development.
Gasque, an experienced coach and athletic director at Montgomery College in the United States, made the call at the end of a two-day girls’ youth basketball camp held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Gymnasium in Paynesville.
“The LBA needs support. This is part of our future,” Gasque said. “Sports develop discipline. You learn a lot of self-discipline through sports that you can apply to everyday life. It helps keep children occupied so they don’t go wayward. That’s why the government must support the LBA and other sporting disciplines.”
She also encouraged parents to offer both moral and financial support to their children interested in sports, highlighting the educational and developmental opportunities available through athletic involvement.
The two-day Women’s Basketball Camp, which brought together more than 50 girls, aimed to empower young women through sports, skill development, and mentorship.
The event featured training sessions led by experienced coaches, motivational talks from accomplished athletes, and workshops on leadership, teamwork, and personal development.
Gasque said the initiative, which is expected to be held annually, goes beyond basketball.
“It’s a platform to inspire the next generation of female athletes and leaders in Liberia and across the region,” she said.
In May, the Jordan Nwora Foundation Elite Basketball Camp also made a significant impact, reaching more than 125 boys and girls across the country.
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