Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji has praised Bettomax for its “groundbreaking contribution” to Liberian football, following the successful conclusion of the inaugural Bettomax Champions Cup.
The preseason tournament, which kicked off in August at Tusa Field in Gardnerville, brought together some of the country’s top clubs.
Bettomax invested heavily in the competition, providing teams with appearance fees and covering organizational costs. Each of the eight participating clubs received a US$2,000 fee, while the champions took home a US$10,000 cash prize and a custom trophy.
The second, third, and fourth-place teams also received cash prizes of US$5,000 US$3,500 and US$3,000 respectively, adding a professional touch rarely seen in domestic competitions.
The competition featured teams like Watanga FC, Bea Mountain, Heaven Eleven, Paynesville FC, and Global Pharma, among others.
The atmosphere at Tusa Field was electric, with fans flocking to the stands to witness quality football ahead of the new league season.
After two weeks of thrilling action,Heaven Eleven FC defeated Bea Mountain FC in a dramatic final to become the first-ever champions of the Bettomax Champions Cup.
Speaking to reporters at the tournament’s conclusion, LFA President Mustapha Raji described the initiative as a true reflection of corporate social responsibility.
“What Bettomax has done with this tournament is a clear demonstration of commitment to giving back to the football community,” Raji said.
“It is our hope that other companies will emulate this initiative, because football thrives when the private sector joins hands with us.”
Raji also highlighted the financial impact of the event, stating, “I just don’t think is the ten thousand the players are playing for that they show so much is far more than the ten thousand because Bettomax invested over fifty thousand United States dollars in this competition.”
“Overall, it is about positive impact,” he continued. “It’s about the thought of a company that is doing business in Liberia reinvesting some of the monies they are getting into football, but also strengthening the youth in the clubs who are run by individuals. Today they can compete in the top eight and some of them walked away with a lot of cash prizes.”
Raji said the two-week tournament was a positive step forward, aligning with the LFA’s long-term goals.
“Today, Bettomax has joined the Liberia Football Association, strengthening our sector and providing such opportunities for each and every one within our game,” he said.
“This is a new beginning for our football and a challenge to those other companies out there. Bettomax has taken a very big step and now a challenge to other players in the market.”
He added that the LFA is open to new ideas and partnerships to strengthen its brand. He called on other major companies, including Orange Liberia GSM, MTN Lone Star Cell, and banking institutions, to follow suit.
“We as the Football Association have the content and have the expertise, and we think we can even make the league far bigger with good sponsorship from companies,” Raji added.
Raji praised the LFA’s collaborative effort with Bettomax, which resulted in a successful inaugural event.
“I am happy that Bettomax took the giant step and came up and invested directly so that they could see the players and their clubs benefiting from the tournament,” he said.
The success of the tournament has sparked conversations about making it an annual event and even having Bettomax become the official league sponsor, a notion fueled by the tournament’s professional organization and the customized trophy, which is valued at 12,000 pounds.
Raji, who presented the medals alongside Bettomax officials, acknowledged the new level of professionalism the gaming company brought to the closing day with its customized trophies and medals.
He noted, however, that the LFA is planning to have an even bigger trophy for its own league at the end of the season.
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