FIFA Officials Arrive Today for LFA Elections

The West African Development Officer of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Sampon Karblan, and FIFA Development Officer for Africa, Urs Klusers, are expected in the country today, March 17, 2010 to discuss issues related to the development and promotion of the game in Liberia with football stakeholders.

According to the Secretariat of the LFA, the two FIFA Executives will hold 'serious talks' with club presidents concerning FIFA recommended statute as well as with officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and the LFA regarding the 15th Ordinary Elective Congress, scheduled for Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Secretariat further disclosed that over the weekend, another FIFA Executive, Koutsok Oummas, is also expected in the country to join his colleagues to observe the elections.

FIFA attaches serious importance to the pending elections of the member federation LFA, in accordance with their statute, as a way of encouraging stakeholders to elect their own national football leaders, without the involvement of the Government and other international sports-related bodies.

Meanwhile, LFA presidential aspirants Musa H. Bility and George Wah Williams are again calling on the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the LNOC to ensure that the Secretariat of the LFA releases the voter listing, which is contravening the 2007 revised list of the LFA.

Up to press time yesterday, the Secretariat of the LFA still remained tight-lipped over the release of the official voters' roster, but reports have it that about 68 persons had been registered ranging from presidents of premier clubs to 2nd division as well as female divisions and heads of sub-committees and sub-associations.

Qualified candidates for the presidency in the March 20, 2010 LFA elections are Watanga FC president Musa Bility, incumbent LFA president Sombo Izetta Wesley and former secretary general of Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association and the LFA, George Wah Williams.

Those eligible to contest the post of LFA vice president for Administration are former premier outfit FC AK president Musa Shannon, incumbent KLFA VPA Pennoh Bestman as well as Mighty Barrole and Barrack Young Controller (BYC) presidents Garmondeh Karnga and Sekou Konneh respectively.

For the post of vice president for Operations, eligible candidates are incumbent Adolph Lawrence, long time football promoter Joseph Farkollie, who served as president of LPMC, LEC current and vice president for the Invincible Eleven (IE) and Alfred Sayon, the current vice president for Operation and Technical Affairs.

LIFRA Elects Atty Kollie Interim Head

The Executive Committee of Liberia Football Referees Association (LIFRA) has met in compliance with the institution's constitution and by-laws and elected Attorney Joseph Kollie to steer the affairs of the association for two years, after which an election will be held for a new leadership.

The event was on account of the expiration of the tenure of the previous administration headed by Mr. Idrissa Kaba as per the constitution. The constitution of the LIFRA states that at the expiration of the term of any leadership (current), the executive committee takes over the affairs of the association.

According to a release signed by Acting Chief Referee Lamin K. Kamara, Sr., four candidates were put forward in the persons of Mason C. Goe, Napoleon Jaeploe, Patrick Paye and Atty Josaeph Kollie for the interim election, with Atty Kollie emerging as head with a total of 15 votes, while Mason Goe accumulated 10 votes and the other two with zero votes each.

When contacted yesterday, the 'outgoing' president of LIFRA Mr. Idrissa Kaba confirmed hearing news of the appointment of an interim president.
“I was never informed about the latest development, and as far as I know, I am still head of LIFRA until an election is held for another leadership if necessary. Until then, I remain the head of LIFRA and will represent my association at the March 20, 2010 LFA Congress where we will cast vote for the next LFA leadership,” the former FIFA-badged referee told the Daily Observer yesterday.