Monrovia, February 13, 2026: The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has donated 5 Hundred Thousand United States {Dollars} (US$500,000) to assist youth growth and soccer initiatives in Liberia, reaffirming its dedication to empowering younger individuals by way of strategic social funding.
The donation, introduced on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at LiMA’s headquarters in Congo City, was shared equally between the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities and the Liberia Soccer Affiliation (LFA), with every establishment receiving Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States {Dollars} (US$250,000).
Talking on the presentation ceremony, LiMA Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. defined that the joint ceremony displays the complementary roles each establishments play in youth empowerment. He emphasised that LiMA’s assist is meant to fund initiatives that profit at-risk youth throughout the nation.
“We imagine that soccer can play a serious position in addressing a few of the challenges confronted by at-risk youth,” Commissioner Lighe stated. “Liberia has a big youthful inhabitants, which underscores the necessity to create platforms and alternatives that can assist younger individuals grow to be productive members of society.”
He famous that idle youth pose potential dangers to nationwide safety and careworn that the contribution types a part of LiMA’s company social duty program, inspired by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., to make sure that the advantages of Liberia’s maritime program attain all residents.
Offering an outline of the ceremony, LiMA Deputy Chief Monetary Officer Mr. Need Satia described the donation as a big milestone for the maritime sector, marking a step past conventional contributions to the nationwide treasury towards direct funding in youth-focused initiatives.
Receiving the donation, Appearing Minister of Youth and Sports activities Mr. Henry B. Yonton stated the contribution comes at a crucial time because the Authorities of Liberia intensifies efforts to strengthen youth growth nationwide. He added that the assist aligns with the Ministry’s decentralization agenda championed by the newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports activities.
For his half, LFA President Mustapha I. Raji described the donation as historic, noting that it represents the primary main monetary contribution from a authorities establishment to the nation’s soccer physique.
“It’s unprecedented and might be recorded as a landmark second for Liberian soccer,” Raji stated. He praised President Boakai, Liberia’s Chief Patron of Sports activities, for endorsing the initiative, and counseled Commissioner Lighe’s management for recognizing and addressing the challenges younger individuals face.
Raji emphasised that soccer is a robust driver of socio-economic growth and highlighted progress within the LFA’s youth growth program. He revealed that the export of Liberian soccer expertise is rising, with switch revenues rising from US$181,000 in 2024 to over US$480,000 in 2025, in response to the FIFA Switch Market report.
“Our imaginative and prescient is to present each baby in Liberia a possibility, no matter the place they reside,” he stated. “Now we have established the first-ever soccer academy owned by the Liberia Soccer Affiliation to nurture younger expertise and put together them for profitable careers in soccer,” the Liberian Soccer Chief stated.
