By Amara Konneh
MONROVIA, April 22 (LINA) – In an effort to create the opportunities for Liberian boys and girls to thrive in their soccer sojourn, the head of Liberia Football Association (LFA) Mustapha Raji has broken grounds for the construction of a mini football pitch at the Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks in Shiefflin, Margibi County.
The mini 20 by 40 meters soccer pitch, according to an LFA release dated April 17, 2025, when completed will host seven – a side matches.
The statement noted that LFA President Raji and his entourage went to the premises of the soldiers’ barrack to break ground for a football field which will accommodate and help to explore young Liberian talents through soccer in Margibi County and its surrounding territories.
The project is part of the pilot phase of the FIFA Arena Project, an initiative designed to promote grassroots football development for both boys and girls in every sector of the Liberian society as a way of decentralizing football in the country.
The Military Barracks host the Linda Thomas-Greenfield Preparatory School, which serves more than 400 students from within and around the barracks community. The new mini pitch is expected to provide a safe and inclusive space for young players to develop their skills and passion for the game.
The LFA Boss expressed excitement and extended his gratitude to the AFL through its Chief of Staff, Major General Davidson F. Forleh, for the partnership and inclusion of civilians in working with the military to create opportunities for boys and girls to play football.
He said: “today marks the beginning of bringing a new pitch, seven-aside, for youths and adults, adding, it is the first step forward in terms of development wherein they will move and grow from just the pitch, to provide lighting for the field and move forward to have a standard size pitch in the future.
President Raji commended the AFL for its support to Liberian football, including the provision of the Blue Field in the PHP Community, which is currently dedicated to the LFA’s grassroots programs, and also the assignment of one of its officers, Joseph Tweh, to serve as Deputy Safety and Security Officer which is a clear demonstration of good partnership in promoting grassroot footballers in Liberia.
For his part, Major General Forleh thanked the LFA for such initiative and pledged the AFL’s full cooperation during the construction process as well as its long-term commitment to maintaining the facility for football and infrastructure development.
