Africa-Press – Liberia. As the Liberia Football Association (LFA) approaches a high-stakes elective congress, football administrator and club owner Christian Weah has formally entered the race for a seat on the Executive Committee.
Positioning himself as a pragmatic reformer, Weah aims to bridge the gap between policy and implementation to safeguard what he terms President Mustapha Raji’s “legacy agenda.”
Speaking during a live radio appearance, Weah emphasized that his candidacy is rooted in the need for a more proactive and accountable leadership body.
“I am contesting as an Executive Committee member because that is where the real work is done,” Weah asserted.
“While the president provides the vision, the Executive Committee must be active, consistent, and held to account. We cannot afford spectators in the boardroom.”
A Pro-Club Philosophy
Weah’s platform is built on institutional knowledge and a “clubs-first” ideology.
As a current member of the LFA League Board and former chairman of the Club Presidents Association of Liberia (CPAL), he argued that his tenure has given him a front-row seat to the financial constraints faced by local clubs.
“Clubs are the backbone of Liberian football,” Weah said. “Those who sink their personal resources into this game must have a seat at the table where the biggest decisions are made. My presence will ensure that policies from player welfare to league sustainability reflect the gritty reality of our football landscape.”
Critiquing ‘Delinquency’ in Governance
In a pointed critique of the current administration, Weah lamented the “delinquencies and inconsistencies” among some sitting Executive Committee members.
He suggested that internal apathy has occasionally frustrated the pace of reform under the current leadership.
“This is a legacy term for Mr. Raji,” Weah noted. “The President needs a results-driven team. You cannot build a legacy with people who only hold positions for the title but fail to do the work.”
Economic Innovation: Agriculture and Beyond
Among his more ambitious proposals is a push for clubs to move beyond a total reliance on LFA subventions.
Weah revealed plans to advocate for club-led ventures in agriculture and other income-generating sectors to foster financial independence.
“With the right initial support and a solid structure, clubs can sustain themselves. That is how we move from a dependency model to a growth model,” he explained.
Legal Stability and the Third-Term Debate
Weah also addressed the brewing controversy regarding President Raji’s eligibility for a third term, defending the legality of the move based on current LFA statutes.
“President Raji is not violating any law,” Weah insisted. “Statutes are changed at Congress, and until that happens, the law remains as it is. Football governance is an honor system aligned with FIFA standards, which also means we must be mindful of the integrity of those seeking office.”
He further condemned recent protests against the LFA, citing them as a primary reason for the exit of corporate sponsors like Orange Liberia.
“Protesting at a private business premises was a mistake that didn’t just hurt the LFA leadership it hurt the entire football ecosystem,” he said.
The Road to April
As the April elections loom, the Executive Committee race is increasingly seen as the primary battleground for the LFA’s future direction, especially with Raji widely expected to run unopposed. Weah’s closing pitch to the electorate was simple: prioritize competence over sentiments.
“These are serious times for Liberian football. We need people who have invested their own sweat and money into the game to lead it,” Weah concluded.
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