Monrovia - The Ministry of Youth and Sport (MYS) has begun the long awaited vacation school program. After the commencement ceremony on Wednesday at the SKD sports complex, hundreds of students began learning about football, basketball, tennis, track and field and academic work for a month. Besides just the playing, the kids (ages 10 to 19) are been taught lots of insightful lessons.

Speaking at the launch, deputy minister Jacqueline Capehart said the initiative is part of government's plans to place focus on grassroots sports development. Capehart said the program could create interest in some kids who have not made-up their minds on which sport to play and challenged them to be serious. She added that Liberia could produce many talents from this program if the participants put their best into it.

Capehart said sports play a major part in the developmental stage of humans, as such, having kids involved in sporting activities with others from diverse backgrounds is essential. MYS sports director Kelvin Sebwe and some former sports stars are facilitating the program. The 400 students are been divided into groups representing names of prominent individuals.

Certificates will be issued to deserving students as they will be competing for various prizes. Many of the students commended the ministry for the program and promised to do their best.

They also appealed to the government to continue the exercise each year.