Liberia Football Association LFA President Mustapha Raji has reechoed his commitment made in the past promising to develop football at all levels.
Raji said football can only be developed if all aspects, beginning at the grassroots levels, can be considered and tackled.
He was speaking at the start of a five-day Confederation of African Football (CAF), goalkeeping coaching course held at the LFA headquarters in Swankamore, Congo Town on 25 August.
He lauded the former technical director of the Association Henry Browne for his role played in football development most especially the hosting of courses for sports stakeholders and players.
“Peace to the ashes of technical director Henry Browne, who worked on this project over the years, to ensure that we are holding this course. We are looking to develop football from all aspects.
“We have held a number of coaching courses and will continue to hold course. We are also looking at specialized courses. We held a fitness and conditioning course in April. And we most recently held an anti-doping workshop,” said Raji.
He disclosed that the course is being fund from CAF annual subvention of US$250,000 to its members.
“Club football is an integral part of football development. And football development isn’t an overnight thing. We will lay the blocks for others to follow or improve on just as Willard Russell (RIP), Edwin Melvin Snowe and Musa Hassan Bility laid the foundation that we met.
“We must develop football. Sitting with President George Manneh Weah, football development is at the core of his development plans. I wish you a successful training. And with the power vested in me as LFA president, I hereby declared this course officially opened,” Raji added.
For his part, Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson praised the LFA for holding specialized courses.
Wilson, who played for Mighty Barrolle and Liberia, paid tribute to three compatriots he idolized during his playing career.
“I didn’t have the chance to undergo specialized trainings as a goalkeeper. I had to learn the hard way. Growing-up, I had to follow Boye Cooper (RIP), Paul Dadzie (RIP) and Lucretius Togba and Thomas Nkono of Cameroon.
“And I must give coach Lu his flowers while he’s alive. He gave me the chance on the varsity team at the University of Liberia and for Trowin in the Borough [of New Kru Town] league. I also mentored Johnny Sumo and Abraham Jackson. Let’s do our best to impact knowledge,” said Wilson.
The course, which will have theoretical and practical sessions, is being facilitated by CAF coaching instructor Alejandro Alfredo Heredia of Argentina.
Heredia, who has over 40 years’ experience, will be assisted by former Liberia goalkeeping coach Lucretius Togba.
The course ends on 29 August.
