LFA breaks ground for mini football Pitch at EBK military barracks

Published: April 18, 2025

SCHIEFFLIN, Margibi County – The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has broken ground for the construction of a 20×40-meter mini football pitch at the Edward Beyan Kesselly (EBK) Military Barracks, as part of efforts to expand grassroots football across the country.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, was attended by hundreds of school-going children from the barracks, many of whom are aspiring footballers.

In a statement, the LFA said the initiative is part of the pilot phase of the FIFA Arena Project, a global program aimed at promoting grassroots football development for both boys and girls.

The EBK Barracks is home to the Linda Thomas-Greenfield Preparatory School, which serves more than 400 students from the barracks and surrounding communities. The mini-pitch is expected to provide a safe and inclusive environment for young players to nurture their skills and passion for the game.

LFA President Mustapha I. Raji expressed excitement over the launch of the project and extended appreciation to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), through its Chief of Staff, Major General Davidson F. Forleh, for embracing civilian-military collaboration to empower young people through sport.

“Today marks the beginning of bringing a new pitch, a 7-aside facility, for youths and also adults,” Raji said. “It is the first step forward in terms of development — wherein we will move from just the pitch to providing lighting, and eventually expanding to a standard-size pitch.”

Raji also lauded the AFL for its continued support to Liberian football, citing the provision of the Blue Field in the PHP Community, which is currently used for LFA grassroots programs, and the assignment of AFL officer Joseph Tweh as Deputy Safety and Security Officer at the LFA.

In his remarks, Major General Forleh commended the LFA for the initiative and pledged the AFL’s full cooperation during the construction phase. He also reaffirmed the military’s long-term commitment to maintaining the facility and supporting youth development through sports.