 03-16-2007, 2:12 PM
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Weah Fan
 
Joined on 03-25-2006
TOPOLA, SERBIA
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Despite FIFA's Annual $250,000 Grant - What Have LFA Benefited?
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Despite Fifa's Annual $250,000 Grant - What Have LFA Benefited?
The Inquirer (Monrovia)
March 16, 2007
Posted to the web March 16, 2007
The Vice President for Operations at the Liberia Football Association (LFA) Mr. Adolph Lawrence has continued his criticism on the manner in which he claims funds are being misappropriated at the local football house.
Mr. Lawrence expressed his disgust at how the LFA under the leadership of Madam S. Izetta Wesley has been managing an annual FIFA grant of US$250,000.00 without the nation and people feeling its impact.
He however shifted the blame on some members of the press who have failed to expose some of these mal-practices. He said, the press is under obligation to expose the ills of society and must not be carried away or be biased in reporting.
Mr. Lawrence made these remarks when he stopped at the offices of the INQUIRER yesterday to display items promised them during their visit to England, which have just been brought to the country by the CEO of Bridgeway Cooperation.
Mr. Lawrence told the INQUIRER sports desk that since 1999, the local football house has been receiving an annual grant of US$250,000.00 from FIFA, the world football governing body but what tangible things can it boast of today?
He said if football continues to be run the way it currently is, Liberia is doomed for failure.
Displaying a chart from FIFA on the use of its annual grant, Mr. Lawrence said youth development is entitled to 9% of the grant, which is equivalent to US$22,500.00 per year. "But from current reality, is this amount actually being spent on the development of youth annually?" Mr. Lawrence questioned.
He said further that the national team is supposed to get 17% of this grant, which is equivalent to US$42,500.00 per year. But he asked whether the money has been spent.
He says the FA only waits for government to disburse money for the national team and if nothing is done, the team will never start training simply due to the no money syndrome.
There is enough money, which is being used at the LFA but unaccountable, something that is killing the future of the country.
Concluding Mr. Lawrence said in order to move the game of soccer forward in Liberia, leaders must begin to put interest in the game, work together with transparency and open mind with one another.
He said there is still a bright future ahead but these ills must be exposed so that the wrongs can be made right and "we" move ahead.
Meanwhile, when our Sports desk tried to contact the LFA Secretariat for reaction, the Chief Scribe, Mr. George Williams was said to be out of the country.
When the President of the LFA was contacted via cell phone, she politely told the INQUIRER Sports that the accusations of Mr. Lawrence were a delicate one and could not be discussed on the phone. She said she respected the view of Mr. Lawrence but will formally react to the accusations today, and same shall be published in our subsequent edition.
To have and not to give is often worse than to steal - George Weah
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