Monrovia – The Liberia Football Association (LFA), in partnership with Lonestar Cell MTN, has officially launched the third edition of the MoMo Community League, further strengthening its commitment to grassroots football development and youth empowerment across Liberia.
By Christopher C. Walker [email protected]
The U-17 community-based tournament is scheduled to kick off on May 2 and will run through the second week of June.
The competition continues to serve as a vital pipeline for identifying and nurturing young football talent from diverse local communities.
Speaking at the launch, LFA Deputy Secretary General Mohammed Sheriff expressed gratitude to Lonestar Cell MTN for its sustained support over the last three years, describing the partnership as essential to national youth development.
“We are grateful for this partnership, and we are hopeful that based on the performance and impact of the league, MTN will see reason to renew and even expand this collaboration,” Sheriff said.
Representing Lonestar Cell MTN, Foday Emeh reaffirmed the telecommunications giant’s commitment to grassroots sports.
He noted that the initiative has already yielded tangible results, with several players now competing for youth national teams and top-tier Liberian clubs.
“We are proud to continue supporting this initiative because it has touched many lives,” Emeh said. “Football is a unifying force, and through this platform, we are discovering and developing talents from the grassroots.”
Emeh further disclosed that MTN is considering the possibility of expanding the tournament to other counties in future editions, a move that would significantly widen the league’s national footprint.
Driving Social Impact through Sports
LFA First Vice President Sekou W. Konneh described the partnership as a “wonderful experience,” emphasizing the league’s role in providing a productive outlet for Liberian youth.
“This competition brings joy and excitement to young people in the communities,” Konneh noted. “When they are not engaged, they can easily get involved in negative activities, so this initiative is very important.”
Konneh also appeal to MTN to explore the introduction of a female version of the tournament to promote gender inclusivity in community sports.
Sustained Investment and Opportunities
Since its inception three years ago, the MoMo Community League has evolved into a cornerstone of Liberia’s grassroots football structure.
Organizers disclosed that approximately L$1.8 million Liberian dollars has been invested in the program to date, with prize packages remaining consistent to incentivize competition.
The tournament champion will be awarded US$3,000, with cash prizes also designated for second and third-place finishers.
Additionally, each participating community team will receive up to L$72,000 in preparation funds and progress-based incentives.
Participating teams will also receive logistical support, including full sets of jerseys and footballs.
The tournament organizers emphasized that the primary goal remains career progression for the athletes.
“The vision from the beginning was to see players move to another level,”
The Road to the Title
As the third edition commences, New Kru Town enters the fray as the defending champions.
They are joined by King Gray Community winners of the inaugural edition and several other storied community sides.
With increased investment and a vision for national expansion, stakeholders believe the MoMo Community League is steadily shaping the future of Liberian football one community at a time.
