Fifa to
Prioritize Football Development -Says LFA
The NEWS (Monrovia)
December 1, 2003
Julu Johnson
Monrovia
The world football governing body, FIFA, has disclosed to National
Associations that its Financial Assistance Package is not to be used
for National teams purposes, but for the development of football.
Making the disclosure to this paper over the weekend, LFA Acting
President, Cllr. S. Izetta Wesley said the National Associations
were informed by FIFA that National Teams are the responsibility of
National Governments, and that Financial Assistance given should be
used for the development of the game with emphasis being laid on
Technical, Youth, Women and the Secretariat.
Commenting on, Cllr. Wesley related that they were further told by
FIFA that it has lived up to its responsibility, and thus National
Governments should play their respective roles. "FIFA also said it
is prepared to visit any country which National Association has
problem with the government to inform it about the regulations," she
added.
The Acting President and General Secretary Yanqueh S. Borsay last
Thursday returned from a two day Seminar on Regulations for FIFA
Financial Assistance Programme held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
The Seminar highlighted the regulations for request on the FIFA
Financial Assistance Programme (FAP).
According to the LFA Acting Boss, FIFA wants to standardize the
program, stressing transparency in request and expenditure,
confidence and trust to avoid problems of the past.
She further disclosed that funds given by FIFA under the Assistance
Programme will be audited by a reputable firm that FIFA knows, and a
separate bank account setup to ensure financial transparency.
On whether the LFA will henceforth give cash to clubs for
development, Cllr. Wesley said that decision is not hers, but can
only relate to director of the Programme, Thierry Pascal, when the
need arises.
Touching on other related matters, Cllr. Wesley revealed that the FA
is still being owed huge sums of money by Government. Adding, "the
LFA spent money on the Lone Star based on an agreement with the
Sports Ministry, but it is yet to be reimbursed by Government."
She then disclosed that the FA will resubmit its bill to the Sports
Ministry for payment. "We need the money because FIFA sent it
purposely for football development and not be used on the National
team, as was done by us since Government was incapacitated at the
time."
Quizzed about the FA's plans for the National team in the
forthcoming 2006 qualifiers, she related that Chairman Gyude Bryant
has already instructed the Budget Bureau and Finance Ministry to
include some allotment for the Lone Star in the National Budget
covering January to June 2004. "When you have allotment in the
National Budget, you can prepare adequately and make impact in
international competitions," she pointed out.
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