Hon. Stevequoh Inaugurates Two FIFA Arena Mini Pitches
The Liberia Football Association (LFA), in partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has officially inaugurated two FIFA Arena Mini Pitches in Liberia, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s grassroots football development.
The inauguration ceremonies, held at the Bible Way Mission School in Wamba Town, along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway, and the EBK Barracks in Schiefflin, Margibi County, brought together key government officials, LFA executives, FIFA representatives, students, youth groups, and community leaders.
Serving as the keynote speaker, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs-designate, Hon. Samuel Stevequoh, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the LFA, FIFA, and the Government of Liberia in fostering opportunities for the nation’s youthful population through sports.
“We are even more thankful to the Liberia Football Association for working with the Government to ensure that the promises to the people are kept,” Minister Stevequoh said. “The President extends his warmest congratulations to all of you who have collaborated to make this happen.
We are proud of the level that football has grown in this country. It brings us together and cuts across all divides, and so we celebrate every opportunity to develop football and the President remains committed to that.”
Community hosts of the venues extended gratitude to the LFA and FIFA for making the projects a reality and for providing safe, inclusive environments where students can nurture their passion for the game.
The FIFA Arena Project is a global pilot initiative aimed at promoting grassroots football for boys and girls by constructing durable artificial mini-pitches in schools and communities.
Liberia is among the “Starting XI” a group of eleven pioneering FIFA member associations selected to benefit from the first phase of the program. Championed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the initiative seeks to establish more than 1,000 mini-pitches worldwide, expanding access to quality sporting infrastructure for young players.
At the event, LFA President, Mustapha Raji, praised FIFA’s vision and enduring commitment to Liberia’s football growth.
“We firstly want to extend our deepest and special thanks and appreciation to the visionary leader of world football, Gianni Infantino, the man who has introduced and brought innovation to football, and who has addressed issues related to Member Associations and the challenging aspects of football development,” Raji said.
“FIFA has not only introduced the FIFA Arena projects but also many other initiatives that continue to positively impact the rest of the world. Our goal is to align with the vision of the FIFA President, because football unites and it should unite Liberians. Football is a powerful tool to promote peace, drive national development, and create opportunities for every boy and girl to play on a quality facility.”
Representing FIFA, Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, expressed delight at seeing Liberian youth benefit from the project.
“I’m thrilled to see the youth of Liberia inaugurate these FIFA Arena Mini Pitches today,” Fernandes said. “These brand-new, sustainable spaces provide children from Margibi and Montserrado counties with a safe and inspiring environment to play and grow through football.
Liberia holds a special place in the global football community, thanks to the legendary Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, who put the nation on the world map.. These pitches are more than just playing surfaces, they are platforms for dreams to take flight. On behalf of FIFA, I wish every young Liberian success both on and off the pitch. We proudly stand with the Liberia Football Association to continue creating more opportunities for the future.”President Rajii noted.
The ceremonies also featured lively football exhibitions by local youth, highlighting the immediate impact the new pitches will have on grassroots development. Students and aspiring footballers expressed excitement about the opportunity to play on modern facilities that match international standards.
Local leaders in attendance noted that the FIFA Arena Mini Pitches would not only benefit young athletes but also serve as spaces for community cohesion, talent discovery, and youth empowerment. They emphasized the role of sports in building discipline, fostering resilience, and promoting unity among Liberia’s diverse communities.
With the launch of these two pitches, Liberia has taken another bold step toward strengthening its sporting infrastructure and aligning with global efforts to use football as a catalyst for peace, development, and youth empowerment.
