MONROVIA, May 4 (LINA) –President George M. Weah has dedicated the newly-constructed headquarters of the Liberia Football Association (LFA).
Worth around US$1.5 million, the LFA headquarters is intended to improve and provide adequate office space and better work environment for the Liberian footballing body.
The headquarters is the first-ever state-owned facility since the establishment of the country’s football house in 1936, which is a whopping 87 years ago.
The facility, which was designed by CESAF-Liberia Limited, a Liberian-owned construction company, through funding under the former FIFA Goal project, will replace the current LFA House of Football, at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) located on UN Drive and Lynch Street in Central Monrovia.
The three-story building contains a ground floor, luxurious entrance with a spacious conference room, fully air-conditioned offices occupying the first and second floors respectively, among other modern facilities.
Making remarks during the dedication ceremony at the Swankamore community in Congo Town, President Weah hailed the LFA and Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) for the implementation of the project.
He also commended the president of the LFA, Mustapha Raji, and Executives of the body for their efforts in helping to improve sports in Liberia.
President Weah further hailed the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and paid special tribute to the previous leadership of the LFA.
President Weah, who is a former official of FIFA, pledged his unwavering support to the world’s football governing body for the development of the game, particularly in Africa.
“What we have here today is the fruit of our commitment to support the then FIFA President Sepp Blatter and now Gianni Infantino,” the Liberian Chief Patron of Sports noted.
He reassured FIFA and the LFA of his government’s commitment to work with the two football bodies geared toward improving sports in Liberia.
The Liberian and African soccer icon urged the leadership of the LFA, most especially Mr. Raji, to remain focused in the midst of criticisms, noting: “Once you are in the public space and a value system and making viable impact in the society, you will always be criticized but that should not deter you from being focused and achieving your goals as head of any entity.”
Following the initial groundbreaking ceremony in April 2021, construction of the building lasted two years and will increase visibility to the public, maximizing space with flexibility to accommodate staff, football stakeholders and partners.
Although the facility is not located near the main street of Congo Town, as earlier planned, the new headquarters will boost the LFA under the leadership of Mr. Raji, who took the helm of leadership in 2018, replacing now-politician Musa Hassan Bility.
Upon his ascendancy, Mr. Raji moved the football house from Blue Plaza Building on Benson Street to the ATS to minimize rental fees as a means of focusing on the improvement of the LFA.
