Published: June 25, 2025
MONROVIA – The suspension of U.S. aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is undermining basketball development in Liberia, according to Liberia Basketball Association (LBA) Secretary General Calvin Diggs.
Speaking to The Liberian Investigator on Tuesday in Sinkor, Diggs said the ongoing freeze on USAID-administered funding has triggered a financial ripple effect, forcing many club owners, players, and fans out of the game due to lost income and lack of institutional support.
“Many of the club owners and fans used to work with USAID-supported institutions,” Diggs said. “Now they’re jobless and can’t manage their teams or afford tickets like before. This suspension is affecting basketball development because there’s no money for people to support the sport right now.”
The funding halt stems from a January 20 executive order issued by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, pausing USAID funding for 90 days. While that initial window has long expired, Diggs said the financial aftershocks are still being felt, contributing to a decline in team registration, fewer clubs in the 2025 season, and reduced fan turnout at games.
First Division clubs Cestos Mongars and Commissioners are among those hardest hit by the downturn, he noted.
Like most sports in Liberia, basketball is largely financed by private individuals. As such, when economic conditions shift and personal finances shrink, many teams are left with no lifeline.
Despite the funding crisis, Diggs announced that Liberia will host the FIBA U-16 AfroBasket Zone 3 qualifiers for both boys and girls from July 10 to 17. Participating nations include Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, and host nation Liberia.
The competition will follow a round-robin format, with the top team advancing to the FIBA U-16 AfroBasket finals in Kigali, Rwanda, set for September 2–14.
“This is a proud moment for Liberia,” Diggs said. “It’ll be our second major international basketball event in less than a year,” referencing the successful hosting of the African Women’s Basketball League in November 2024.
He also revealed that the LBA plans to partner with local institutions, including the City of Paynesville, to help organize and promote the event.
“We’ll take the visiting teams to parts of Paynesville to show that Liberia is more than just Monrovia,” he said.
Liberia’s presence in international youth basketball has grown steadily in recent years. In August 2024, the national U-18 boys and girls teams represented the country in the FIBA Zone 3 Championship in Ivory Coast, a milestone Diggs said reflects the sport’s rising profile despite economic challenges.
The LBA remains hopeful that broader support—both domestic and international—will keep the sport alive during a difficult financial period.
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