Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji has praised FIFA for helping to develop the next generation of Liberian footballers.

Raji said the FIFA-talent identification program, which the LFA signed-up, will greatly help its youth football program.

He was speaking at the formal launch of the under-15 national youth domestic league talent identification program at the Samuel Kanyon Doe sports complex practice pitch in Paynesville on 10 December.

“This program will be coordinated by Nathaniel Sherman, a former national team goalkeeper and former BYC [Barrack Young Controllers] president, who is currently the goalkeeping coach of the [men’s] senior national team.

“As I speak, launching programs are also taking place in Buchanan, Grand Bassa and Kakata, Margibi Counties and we will roll out the program throughout the country.

“This is a FIFA-funded program. FIFA has provided US$50,000 for this program and it will greatly help our administration to develop the next generation of Liberian footballers for men’s under-15 and under-17 and onward to the under-20,” said Raji.

LFA third Vice President Jodie Reid-Seton was unhappy that women’s team didn’t show interest during the registration process.

Reid-Seton, who took the kick-off to the first match, said: “As a campaigner for women’s empowerment, I will lead a campaign to encourage girls to sign-up to the program.

“To the coordinators, scouts and participating teams, let’s play to the rules and avoid age cheating so that Liberia won’t be embarrassed again. May the best teams win through the country.”

LFA technical director Henry Browne said experienced coaches were recruited as scouts in the three counties.

Browne named Famatta Dean, Robert Lartey and Lucretius Togba as some of the scouts.

LFA executive committee members Kelvin Bayoh and Anthony Deinuka launched the program in Buchanan and Kakata respectively.

The program runs from December 10, 2022 to April 30, 2023.