Fifa
Official Expresses Concern Over Renovation
Works At Kakata Stadium
24 September 2007
Julu M. Johnson
Kakata
The Development Officer for West Africa of the world's football
governing body FIFA on Saturday expressed concerns over renovation
works at the local Nancy B. Doe stadium in Kakata, Margibi County,
North of the capital of Monrovia.
FIFA's Sampon J. Kablan of Cote d'Ivoire thinks that the artificial
turf may not be laid in time due to the rainy season and as the
apparent scarcity of cement.
The renovation of the Nancy B. Doe stadium is under the 'Winning
Africa for Africa" project launched by FIFA. The stadium is
scheduled to be completed by next October. But it not clear what the
delay could mean.
Meanwhile, Kablan has confirmed that there would be a second Goal
Project intended to remove the deteriorating artificial turf at the
Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia.
The visit by the FIFA official is also aimed at focusing on the
construction of a youth soccer academy in the County.
He disclosed that FIFA had requested the Liberia Football
Association to find a land for the youth soccer academy, but he said
US$900,000 is needed to fully complete the project. FIFA had
initially set aside US$400,000 for the youth academy project and
that additional money would have to be secured otherwise the cost of
the project would be reduced.
He said FIFA has so many projects, but he cautioned Liberians that
they would only benefit if harmony existed between the Ministry of
Youth and Sports and the Football Association.
"Erase the notion that money from FIFA for the project is for the FA
but rather the funds will go to the entrepreneurs and engineers," he
said implying that sports authorities in the country could be eying
the funds for direct as directives.
The FA and the Ministry of Sports have often been at odds over
football matters at the national level. FIFA deals directly with the
FA and not the government sports ministry.
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