Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia Football Association (LFA) Executive Committee aspirant Christian Weah Sr. is calling for what he describes as a sweeping structural reform of the National County Sports Meet, proposing that management of the country’s flagship football tournament be transferred from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the LFA.
Weah argues that placing the competition under the LFA would guarantee neutrality, professionalism and long-term sustainability, transforming the County Meet from a seasonal government-run event into what he calls a “national football asset.”
The proposal comes ahead of the LFA Executive Committee elections scheduled for April, where governance reform is emerging as a key campaign issue.
LFA as Neutral Custodian
Weah maintains that the LFA is the only institution with the legal mandate and technical capacity to manage a nationwide competition of such scale.
“Hosting the County Meet under the Liberia Football Association ensures neutrality, professionalism and national standards,” Weah asserted.
Under his proposal, the LFA would assume full responsibility for organizing the tournament, ensuring fairness and transparency in scheduling, and applying uniform technical standards across all participating counties.
He further argued that LFA stewardship would make the competition more attractive to international partners and sponsors, who often prefer dealing with recognized football governing bodies.
“When the LFA hosts the competition, it becomes more than a tournament; it becomes a national asset that can be marketed, sponsored and grown sustainably year after year,” Weah said.
Financial Empowerment Through ‘Jersey Rights Reform’
While advocating centralized governance of the tournament, Weah is also proposing what he terms a “Jersey Rights Reform,” aimed at granting counties commercial control over their team kits.
Currently, counties often depend on government subsidies or political patronage for funding. Weah believes giving counties control over their branding and sponsorship rights would create a path toward financial independence.
“This is not just about shirts,” he said. “It’s about creating a sustainable revenue stream for county football.”
Under the proposed model, counties would negotiate directly with local businesses — including banks, telecommunications companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises — for sponsorship placements on jerseys.
Weah says this approach would allow funds to flow directly to county teams, supporting youth development programs, coaching education, and basic infrastructure.
A Defined Role for All Stakeholders
Weah describes his proposal as a clear division of responsibilities: the LFA would manage the competition and safeguard its integrity and brand, while counties would retain ownership of their team identities and revenue streams.
“The team becomes a true symbol of the county’s identity,” he said, adding that stronger local ownership would likely increase attendance, merchandise sales, and community support.
As stakeholders prepare for the April elections, Weah insists that adopting a more business-oriented model is essential to reducing overreliance on political goodwill and securing the long-term future of Liberia’s most celebrated sporting event.
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