GRAND BASSA COUNTY, LIBERIA-Liberia’s Chief Patron of Sports and former FIFA World Footballer, President George Weah, has emphasized the need for the World Football Governing Body to extend its capacity-building programs to Africa.

The Liberian Leader said:” FIFA, as a global body, is not only involved in football activities, but also educational and capacity building activities, and as such it was key for them to extend the said initiative to Africa.

President Weah proposed to the world body to construct what he calls, FIFA technical Schools, across Africa.

The Liberian leader spoke Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, when FIFA Regional Development Officer for West Africa, El Haldji Diop paid a courtesy visit to President Weah.

President Weah said doing so will help citizens on the continent of Africa to be empowered, through vocational and skills training opportunities in order for them to better their lives.

He said Liberia and Africa have young and potential citizens, but the lack of support and empowerment to them is a challenge, something which he wants Fifa as a good partner to help with.

The FIFA Regional Development Officer for West Africa, El Haldji Diop, also Speaking at the Doris Williams Stadium in Buchanan, said: “FIFA Operation Funds are for operations and are not to be given to football clubs. FIFA is basically concerned with improving the infrastructures of member associations, as well as improving the well-being of staffers”.

The funds, according to Diop, are given to member associations to pay salaries of staffers, buy vehicles, transportation, cards for telephone and run the league but not to be given as subvention to clubs. He, however, said Fifa covid-19 funds are intended to help support clubs.

Mr. Diop said:” Fifa is happy with the level of transparency that has characterized the four FIFA projects under Mustapha Raji.” He urged LFA stakeholders to work along with Mustapha Raji in moving the game forward.

By: Kolubah Zayzay