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Football here in Liberia is in the doldrums,
as the standard of the league itself is a
pellucid example.
Youth football development has virtually
collapsed as Liberia has only been
represented on the youth stage less than
three occasions in the last four years.
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Sepp Blatter - FIFA Pres. |
This has indeed been difficult for our
young rising stars to compete with their
counterparts outside Liberia which could
afford them the opportunity to enhance their
career through getting contracts over seas.
Least to also mention the Lone Star for it
is in ruins, thus, becoming the eleven
journey men on the continent, donating
points to competing teams.
Sadly though, we have ostracized the best
we have, calling it a day with our best
cream of players over seas and turning to a
bunch of inexperience and lowly motivated
local players.
And to make matter worse; there is a
serious rift between the Liberia Football
Association (LFA) and Ministry of Youth and
Sports (MYS) though they claim to be
promoting the global leather which serves as
a unifying tool.
In the midst of all these imbroglios a
two-man FIFA delegation is in the country
after the US$1million grant from the World
Football Governing Body has since been given
for a period of four years, with the FA
receiving US$250,000 yearly.
The grant from FIFA to member countries is
intended to develop football.
FIFA has indicated special focused areas in
expanding this amount, including the
establishment and development of a modern
and functional administrative or sports
infrastructure, supporting the recruitment,
training and remuneration of national
association Staff working in administrative
and technical areas, promoting youth
football, Basic training of national
association staff members or third parties
seconded to the association in
administrative and technical area, promoting
technical and sports related development as
well as supporting the national association
in carry out and taking on official football
competition.
The Goal Project is another important
aspect of FIFA’s development program Liberia
benefited from.
The LFA then under the helmsman ship of
Edwin Snowe enjoyed such benefit. Liberia
became the first country to be visited by
the FIFA delegation from April 30 to May 2,
1999 as a means of enhancing this program.
This project which covered the laying of
an artificial turf at the Antoinette Tubman
Stadium (ATS) in 2000, FIFA provide
US$450,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty
Thousand United State Dollar) as the LFA
realized the need to expand other aspects of
the facility by extending the seating
capacity and adding offices on the
complex.
Pursuant to this objective, a loan against
the financial assistance was requested and
granted to the LFA in the amount of USD
250,000.00 (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
United State Dollars) by FIFA.
The FA stated it received US$700,000 (Seven
Hundred United State Dollars) in cash, while
FIFA spent directly US$495, 829.09 (Four
Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Eight Hundred
Twenty Eight United State Dollars) to DESSO
DLW Sports System GmbH, the company in
charge of acquisition and installation of
the turf and her sub-contractors.
This entire project which was highly
influenced by Liberia’ Football icon now
turned presidential aspirant George Weah,
made way for FIFA President Joseph Blatter
to have visited Liberia on 23 November 2000,
thus officially opening the artificial turf
at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS).
Now the local football house is yet to
complete these major projects as the four
years have elapsed. The major questions are
Did the LFA spend the money prudently?
Is
the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) fully
completed? Are the fluorescent lights
thoroughly installed for better sight? Why
is the FA purchasing another batch of
expensive vehicles while its office staff
salaries are yet to be addressed?
As many sports analysts anxiously wait to
see what will be the outcome of the FIFA
two-man delegation weeklong working visit in
country, there are many questions then
answers.
The delegation will meet with the LFA
President Izetta Wesley, the FA Executives
Committee Members, Former LFA President
Edwin Snowe, the Minister of Youth and
Sports, the Chairman on Sports at the NTLA
James Verdier and Chairman of National
Transitional Government Charles Bryant. |
