Football here in Liberia is in the doldrums, as the standard of the league itself is a pellucid example.

  Youth football development has virtually collapsed as Liberia has only been represented on the youth stage less than three occasions in the last four years.

  This has indeed been difficult for our young rising stars to compete with their counterparts outside Liberia which could afford them the opportunity to enhance their career through getting contracts over seas.

  Least to also mention the Lone Star for it is in ruins, thus, becoming the eleven journey men on the continent, donating points to competing teams.

  Sadly though, we have ostracized the best we have, calling it a day with our best cream of players over seas and turning to a bunch of inexperience and lowly motivated local players.

  And to make matter worse; there is a serious rift between the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) though they claim to be promoting the global leather which serves as a unifying tool.

  In the midst of all these imbroglios a two-man FIFA delegation is in the country after the US$1million grant from the World Football Governing Body has since been given for a period of four years, with the FA receiving US$250,000 yearly.

  The grant from FIFA to member countries is intended to develop football. 

  FIFA has indicated special focused areas in expanding this amount, including the establishment and development of a modern and functional administrative or sports infrastructure, supporting the recruitment, training and remuneration of national association Staff working in administrative and technical areas, promoting youth football, Basic training of national association staff members or third parties seconded to the association in administrative and technical area, promoting technical and sports related development as well as supporting the national association in carry out and taking on official football competition.

  The Goal Project is another important aspect of FIFA’s development program Liberia benefited from.

  The LFA then under the helmsman ship of Edwin Snowe enjoyed such benefit. Liberia became the first country to be visited by the FIFA delegation from April 30 to May 2, 1999 as a means of enhancing this program.

  This project which covered the laying of an artificial turf at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in 2000, FIFA provide US$450,000.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand United State Dollar) as the LFA realized the need to expand other aspects of the facility by extending the seating capacity and adding   offices on the complex.

  Pursuant to this objective, a loan against the financial assistance was requested and granted to the LFA in the amount of USD 250,000.00 (Two Hundred Fifty Thousand United State Dollars) by FIFA.

  The FA stated it received US$700,000 (Seven Hundred United State Dollars) in cash, while FIFA spent directly US$495, 829.09 (Four Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Eight United State Dollars) to DESSO DLW Sports System GmbH, the company in charge of acquisition and installation of the turf and her sub-contractors.

  This entire  project which was highly influenced by Liberia’ Football icon now turned presidential aspirant George Weah, made way for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to have visited Liberia on 23 November 2000, thus officially opening the artificial turf at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS).

   Now the local football house is yet to complete these major projects as the four years have elapsed. The major questions are Did the LFA spend the money prudently? 

   Is the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) fully completed? Are the fluorescent lights thoroughly installed for better sight? Why is the FA purchasing another batch of expensive vehicles while its office staff salaries are yet to be addressed?

  As many sports analysts anxiously wait to see what will be the outcome of the FIFA two-man delegation weeklong working visit in country, there are many questions then answers.