The Liberia Football Association (LFA) successfully concluded Phase One of its Grassroots Referees Training Course on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the LFA headquarters in Congo Town. The four-day event saw the participation of 46 aspiring referees, aged between 12 and 23, from Montserrado and Margibi Counties. These young individuals engaged in a comprehensive blend of hands-on sessions, theory-based learning, and practical officiating exercises aimed at enhancing their skills and understanding of the game.
The Grassroots Referees Training Course, which is part of the LFA’s broader initiative to improve football officiating in Liberia, was designed to foster a deeper understanding of the rules of the game and elevate the standards of match control, decision-making, and conflict resolution. This course aligns with the LFA’s vision to reactivate and strengthen football at all levels in Liberia by developing a new generation of qualified referees.
Throughout the course, participants gained valuable insights into the intricacies of football officiating, with a particular focus on ensuring fairness, integrity, and transparency during matches. The training sessions covered key areas such as match control, game strategy, communication with players, and the critical role of referees in maintaining discipline on the field.
At the closing ceremony, Judge Joseph Kollie, LFA Executive Committee member and Chairperson of the LFA Referee Committee, addressed the participants, offering words of encouragement and congratulations for their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the course.
Judge Kollie also expressed gratitude to the instructors who had worked diligently to impart their knowledge to the new referees. He commended their dedication to the development of refereeing in Liberia and their unwavering support in nurturing the next generation of football officials.
Instructor Stephen Kafi also praised the LFA for its ongoing support of the referee development program, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in elevating the standard of football in Liberia. “This training is a significant step in the right direction for Liberian football,” Kafi said. “The LFA’s commitment to building the capacity of referees is commendable, and I am confident that these young referees will contribute positively to the growth of the sport.”
As the participants received their certificates of completion, it was clear that the course had provided them not only with essential skills for officiating but also with a sense of responsibility to uphold the values of the game. The LFA has indicated that future phases of the referee training program will continue to focus on the development of grassroots football and officiating, ensuring that Liberia has a strong and capable pool of referees at every level of the sport.
The successful conclusion of Phase One marks an important milestone in the LFA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen football infrastructure in Liberia and ensure that the country’s footballing future is in the hands of well-trained and competent officials. As the LFA looks ahead, the goal is to continue expanding these training programs, ultimately producing world-class referees who can help elevate the level of competition across all footballing divisions in Liberia.
