Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji has reiterated his commitment to advancing football at all levels, fulfilling promises made during his campaign six years ago.
Speaking at the LFA Headquarters in Congo Town recently, Raji formally opened a three-day CAF Safe Stadium Initiative Workshop, a crucial event aimed at enhancing stadium safety across Africa.
“This CAF Safe Stadium Initiative Workshop is part of the promises we made six years ago to Liberia, stakeholders, and football at large, that we were going to improve football at all levels,” Raji stated during his opening remarks.
“In 2018, as part of our campaign statement in pursuit of the LFA presidency, we promised to not just build the capacity of Coaches, Referees, Administration, and Sports Medicine, but at all levels, evidenced that we’re utilizing ‘football money’ for football.”
The workshop, organized by the Local FA with support from the Federation of International Football association (FIFA) through it forward funds, is focused on ensuring that stadiums across Africa are safe environments for every spectator.
Raji expressed his gratitude to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe for their support in making this initiative possible.
Also in remarks, LFA General Secretary Emmette Crayton described the workshop as a significant achievement for the LFA.
He encouraged all participants to fully engage in the training and to become ambassadors for stadium safety initiatives.
“This workshop is a milestone for the LFA, and we look forward to full participation. Afterward, you can go out there as ambassadors and teach about safe stadium initiatives,” Crayton said.
The three-day training brings together 40 participants from various sectors, including the LFA Security Committee, Stadium Management, Competition Department, National Security (Liberia National Police, Armed Forces of Liberia, Executive Protection Service, and National Fire Service), and clubs.
CAF Safety Stadium Officers, retired Captain Nick Owusu of Ghana and Aboubakar Sene of Senegal, are leading the workshop as facilitators.
To date, CAF has trained over 1,200 safe stadium officers to help manage and improve stadium safety across Africa. This workshop is seen as a crucial step in fulfilling the LFA’s commitment to football development and ensuring that Liberian football venues are safe for all who attend.
