The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has approved several proposals, which will be voted upon, at an ordinary congress in May.
The proposals, which were submitted by president Mustapha Raji at an executive committee meeting on 12 April, include amendments to the April 18, 2022 statutes.
Raji wants the cancellation of registration fees for all clubs participating in the national leagues, the formation of a National Dispute Resolution Council as part of the good governance initiative, inclusion of the National Players Association and Liberia Sports Medics Association as members of congress (with voting rights) and the inclusion of six beach soccer clubs.
Other proposals are to amend the provision related to the number of clubs in the first, second and women’s divisions.
The executive committee, in April 2022, increased the number of first division clubs from 12 to 14, second division clubs from 14 to 16 and women’s upper league division from 10 to 12.
Raji believes that this should be rectified by congress and enshrined in the statutes.
Another proposal approved by the executive committee is to include the representation of the four football zones as members of congress (with all rights appertaining thereto).
In addition to the proposed amendments, the executive committee also made a number of decisions, including authorizing the secretariat to proceed with a request for quotation (RFQ) or tender process for the completion of the George Weah technical center and the design and build of an additional annex (FIFA-approved accommodation, fitness center, medical room, storage, meeting room, etc.).
The executive committee also decided that only players, technical staff, sports medics and match officials enrolled in the LFA Connect System shall be permitted to participate in LFA on-and off-league competitions.
This excludes the third division, community leagues, and women’s regional football.
The executive committee further decided to commit additional support from the FIFA Forward 3.0 funds under project towards the following:
FIFA Talent Development Scheme: US$25,000 per annum from 2023-2026, Support to women’s football national “A” team: US$50,000 per annum from 2023-2026 and Support for the men’s youth teams (under-15 to under-20): US$100,000 per annum from 2023-2026.
Others include Capacity building: US$50,000 per annum from 2023-2026, technical equipment support for clubs and national teams: US$75,000 per annum from 2023-2026, support for grassroots football: US$25,000 per annum from 2023-2026 as well as support to school football: US$25,000 per annum from 2023-2026
The construction of artificial pitches: US$1.3 million from 2023-2026, redundancy: US$50,000 from 2023-2026, Vehicle projects: US$80,000 from 2023-2026 and Mini pitch project: US$160,000 from 2023-2026 are also in the approved proposal.
