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Due to the protracted period of civil strife,
every sector of the country has been greatly
affected with the youths arguably been the most
vulnerable. But, there are rays of brighter hope
as an American business executive arrives in the
country to determine some panacea to their
problems.
Val Thompson, the head of the chamber of
commerce in Houston Texas, the United States
expressed his desire to develop youths of the
country through Sports and other worthwhile
activities.
Speaking to our Sports Desk on Friday, Mr.
Thompson said that the 800 companies supported
Chamber of Commerce of Houston Texas, has 200
companies that have expressed interest in
developing youths in sporting activities.
He noted that he is influencing most of his
colleagues to support the sports programs
through Liberia’s International Coordinator for
Sports, Steve Davis.
The business executive visit was in
fulfillment of a commitment made to Mr. Davis
during his second visit to the country. During
that trip, he met with authorities at the
Liberia Football Association (LFA) and the
Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS).
Mr. Thompson further disclosed that from the
historic ties between Liberia and America, he
always sees Liberians as cousins whose dire
conditions require that he gives serious support
to them.
For his part, Mr. Davis said that Mr. Thompson
had not come with any major promise, but to only
work with the LFA and MYS in providing some
infrastructure development, curriculum
activities, counseling programs, sports
education as well as placing emphasis on a
strong family background.
He said that help is to be underway whenever
companies come to Liberia, after Mr. Thompson’s
initial assessment. But, he was come quick to
note that these are companies that have the
country at heart, stressing further that there
is truly the need for companies to invest in the
country to promote recreation centers.
He them frowned on previous investments in the
sports sector by investors who did not do much
in promoting sports.
“ With all of those past investment, Liberia
only has one major basketball court and not many
stadium, companies investing in the country must
have sports program on their agenda”, he
concluded. |
