Five (5) years ago, on September 8, 2018, Mustapha Raji ran to become president to replace former President Musa Bility.
Elected in 2018, made a statement that “Football Money Will Be Use On Football”
Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji, also CAF Executive Committee Member, President of WAFU Zone A, and Vice President of CAF Youth Football, since taking over the football house, increase the minimum salary from USD 90 to 150. Additional benefits to employees. Scratch card, Transportation benefits and “Additionally, employees were enrolled in the national security worker program for the first time since the establishment of LFA in 1936. The referee’s indemnities were increased from 12 to a minimum of 35 USD. Excluding transportation, accommodations, and feedings when they’re officiating in the rural parts of Liberia.
“We work in that direction to ensure that When our employees retire from football house, they will receive social security benefits.” – Mustapha Raji-
Raji led-administration has worked closely to complete the requirements set by FIFA. To have an office since the establishment of the Liberia Football Association in 1936, to own a playing pitch and to have a functional technical center.
“I am happy that the football association and members of the executive committee including our past leaders, Worked together collectively to ensure that we met those requirements placed by FIFA.” – Mustapha Raji-
The initial LFA office in Benson Street, where it was rented by the past administration, was removed to the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS), that also includes the renovation of the ATS roofing. This was done through the FIFA forward funds process.”. -The Construction of three mini stadiums, George Manneh Weah technical center, Tusa Pitch, SKD Practice Pitch, and the Grand Bassa artificial turf. The construction of the pitches provided Liberians with opportunities to work with the contractors. Also resulted in the endpoint that clubs who did not own home facilities could play matches and get game intakes in return.
Through the FIFA forward funds, The Liberia Football Association First Division League is running, A Second Division League running, A Women’s football Upper League running, A Community League is running, 3rd Division League running, First-time grassroots and Youth programs are running, Regional Women’s football playing in Lofa County, Nimba County, Grand Gedeh County, and Maryland County respectively.
“We intend to go beyond those counties with our women’s football regional programs because our responsibility is to protect, develop and promote football.” -Mustapha Raji-
The Raji-led administration is providing unprecedented support to Men’s first Division, Second Division, and Women’s Upper League clubs through the FIFA Forward program.
Each of the clubs receives an annual basis entitlement of US $6000 as the football association contribution for the salaries of players and staff of each of those clubs.
The support program was introduced in 2019, and clubs received an amount of US $3,937 – in 2019, US $4200 – in 2020, US $5000 – in 2021, and US $6000 – in 2022.
The Raji-led administration also introduces honorary payments to sub-committees in the Fifth-Teen (15) counties of Liberia. A new program was also introduced; to cancel registration fees for all clubs in the country. To ensure that they are released from additional expense.
Liberia Football Association President Mustapha Raji who has been striving to see Liberia football get better also reveal partnerships that Liberia will benefit from in terms of football development during the MICAT Press Briefing on May 4, 2023.
Partnership with Saudi Arabia that includes advanced referee training… The Saudi Football Association also promised to develop the Stephanie Tolbert Football Pitch, Provide an artificial turf and match balls for the Liberia Football Association.
Partnership with Morocco
That could see a new artificial turf for ATS valued at around USD 1 million.
- 𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙜𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.
“Not to just sit. We are engaged with other actors who have more and are willing to share knowledge and resources to the development of our football in Liberia.” -LFA Pres. Mustapha Raji-
As the CAF Executive Committee Member, President of WAFU Zone A, and Vice President of CAF Youth Football, through his influence, the WAFU Zone A Women’s Champions Football Qualifiers to play in Liberia once more. Liberia hosted the qualifiers last time in 2022.
The Liberia Football Association rewards US $14,000 to each of the teams qualified for the continental tournament. Men’s Champions League, Men’s Confederation Cup, and Women’s Champions League.
“We will continue to support and we will continue to engage with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to appeal for additional support to our players and all of our teams.” – Mustapha Raji during the MICAT Press Briefing-
Mustapha Raji was re-elected to office for a second term on April 18, 2022, after running unopposed.
written by Yusuf Mafin