MONROVIA – Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji has urged the Boakai-Koung administration to shift its focus from senior national teams to grassroots and youth football development, warning that failure to do so could undermine the future of Liberian football.
By Jahiem Tumu, [email protected]
Speaking at his second media engagement with the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), Raji emphasized that investing in youth squads—Under-15, Under-17, Under-20, and Under-23—is essential for long-term success, rather than prioritizing the senior male and female national teams.
“Sending a senior national team, male and female, is not a solution for our football development program,” Raji said. He stressed that building strong youth teams must be the core strategy.
Raji announced that Liberia’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams are preparing for important training camps in Tunisia to gain international exposure and improve their skills. However, he lamented the persistent challenge of inadequate funding, urging the government to increase its financial support.
“We are looking to the government to provide the funding for our Under-20 and Under-17 teams because the LFA cannot do it all,” Raji said. “The report in terms of sending a senior national team is not a solution for our football development program.”
He reaffirmed the LFA’s commitment to the FIFA-backed Talent Development Scheme (TDS), which aims to identify and nurture promising players from the Under-15 level upward.
Raji also called on media professionals to assist in ensuring the integrity of age-based competitions. He highlighted the LFA’s reliance on official documents submitted by parents and guardians but acknowledged the need for verification to prevent age cheating.
“We count on you, members of the press, to review and research. If there are players that you are aware of who are above the age limit, we will need that information,” he said.
In positive news, Raji confirmed that the LFA will soon receive 10 motorbikes and two vehicles through the FIFA Forward program. The motorbikes will be deployed to grassroots football communities to improve accessibility, while the vehicles will support the talent development coach and LFA Secretariat.
“This investment is not just for today—it is for the future of Liberian football. If we want to qualify for major tournaments and compete, we must build from the bottom to the top,” Raji stated.
He concluded by emphasizing transparency and accountability under the LFA’s agreement with FIFA.