Monrovia – Hopes for a brighter future in grassroots football grew stronger on September 29, 2025 when the Liberia Football Association (LFA), in partnership with FIFA, inaugurated two newly constructed arenas in Margibi and Montserrado Counties.
By Christopher C Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
The move offers Liberian children a rare chance to play the game they love on safe, modern facilities in a country where most still chase the ball on dusty fields.
The projects commissioned at Bible Way Mission School along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway and at the Edward Bayan Kesselly (EBK) Barracks in Schiefflin are part of FIFA’s Forward Program and its global mini-pitch initiative, designed to expand access to football for children and youth across member associations.
The colorful ceremonies drew officials from the LFA, FIFA representatives, government authorities, students, community dwellers and aspiring football talents.
Raji Hails Infantino’s Vision
LFA President Mustapha Raji expressed deep appreciation to FIFA and singled out world football leader Gianni Infantino for his “visionary leadership.”
“We firstly want to extend our deepest and special thanks and appreciation to Gianni Infantino, the man who has brought innovation to football and addressed issues related to Member Associations,” Raji said.
“These facilities are not just pitches, they are sources of growth, discipline, and hope. Football must unite Liberians, drive development, and create opportunities for every boy and girl to play on quality facilities.”
Voices from the Community
At Bible Way Mission School, Principal Amos Nyenkan, described the new arena as a gift of hope for children who had long been forced to play in unsafe conditions.
“This project is a blessing to our students and the entire community,” Nyenkan said. “We are grateful to FIFA and the LFA because this facility will not only develop talent but also keep children positively engaged.”
Government, Army Back Initiative
Representing the Government of Liberia (GoL), Minister of State for Presidential Affairs-Designate Samuel Stevequoh underscored the importance of collaboration between FIFA, the LFA and the state.
“Football brings us together and cuts across all divides,” Stevequoh said. “The President remains committed to supporting every effort to develop the game, and we are proud of the level that football has reached in this country.”
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, pledged his ministry’s support for proper upkeep of the facilities.
At the EBK Barracks, Brigadier General Theophilus A. Dana, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, described the new arena as a morale booster for soldiers’ families and surrounding communities.
“Sports instills discipline and unity, and this project will help shape not just future footballers but also responsible citizens,” Dana emphasized.
FIFA’s Commitment to Liberia
Each mini-pitch measures 20×40 meters and is tailored for schools and community settings.
Liberia is one of 11 countries chosen under FIFA’s “Starting XI” pilot phase, which seeks to deliver more than 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide.
FIFA’s Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, who attended alongside Development Officer El Hadji Diop, reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to Liberia’s football development.
“These brand-new, sustainable spaces provide children with a safe and inspiring environment to play and grow through football,” Fernandes said. “Liberia holds a special place in the global football community, thanks to George Weah. Among the youth here today, some may follow in his remarkable footsteps. These pitches are platforms for dreams to take flight.”
A Step Forward, But Challenges Persist
Despite the celebrations, the challenges facing grassroots football in Liberia remain glaring. Across the country, children still play on unsafe, makeshift fields, with little access to structured facilities. The two new arenas, though significant, underscore the broader infrastructure gap that continues to hold back the development of the game.
For the children of Margibi and Montserrado, however, the promise of a safe, modern space to dream, play, and grow is now a reality, a small but important step on Liberia’s long road to building football from the ground up.
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