Monrovia – The Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL) president, Varmah Kamara, has criticized the governance of football in Liberia under the presidency of Mustapha Raji, accusing Raji’s administration of operating secretly, engaging in censorship, and fostering division among sports journalists, which has adversely affected the Association.
By Jaheim T. Tumu
Addressing the audience during SWAL’s induction ceremony for its new leadership, Kamara did not hold back in criticizing and highlighting the pressing issues that continue to affect sports journalists since Raji assumed office at the Football House.
Kamara stated, “As an organization, we base our work on credible reporting and information dissemination, but it is evident that sporting federations, including the Liberia Football Association, continue to create obstacles in the discharge of our duties.”
He further emphasized, “The local football association has failed in its responsibilities to strengthen our relationship as partners and is instead focused on censorship and creating division among sports journalists.”
Kamara lamented the failure of the outgoing leadership’s efforts to establish a Memorandum of Understanding between SWAL and LFA under the Mustapha Raji administration.
The new SWAL president criticized the football house for clandestinely selecting a few members of the organization to cover its activities, while the majority of members are left without access to first-hand information.
Regarding the LFA’s claim of insufficient funds to transport journalists, Kamara dismissed it as a weak defense for denying full membership access to its activities and for censoring or selectively excluding critical voices.
He asserted, “Today, the football house has turned into a secretive enclave, with only a select few privileged to vital information intended for the public.”
Kamara called on the leadership of the LFA to open its activities to all sports journalists, especially those who have applied for accreditation, and warned against exclusionary practices.
He stressed the need to prioritize professionalism and credibility within the sporting sector, urging unity among sports journalists to hold stakeholders accountable.
Regarding the hiring process of the new Lone Star Coach and his deputies, Kamara questioned the transparency of the vetting processes, past performance records, salaries, and benefits, which he claimed were undisclosed to the public.
Kamara expressed concern over the state of Liberian football, citing the underperformance of the senior national team despite purported government support and FIFA opportunities.
He also questioned the lack of disclosure regarding the LFA headquarters, which has resulted in a legal dispute between the LFA and CESAF-Liberia, the company that constructed the building.
Additionally, Kamara disclosed a pending lawsuit by former Lone Star Coach Ansu Keita against the football house, urging sports enthusiasts not to be swayed by superficial presentations.
In response to Kamara’s statements, LFA First Vice President Sekou Konneh dismissed the allegations as untrue and encouraged the new leadership to seek clarification from the LFA to ensure accurate information.
The individuals inducted on Friday are Varmah Kamara as President, Christopher C Walker as Vice President, Edwin Boy Dolo as Secretary-General, Jerome Willie as Assistant Secretary, Naomi Tappia as Financial Secretary, and Yusulf Sherif as Chaplain.
