By: Julius Konton
The Chief Executive Officer of Intel Sports, Besario Boakai, has called for a renewed national commitment to grassroots football development and modern sports infrastructure, describing the sector as a powerful but underutilized engine for youth empowerment, economic growth, and national unity.
Speaking in an interview with reporters, Boakai emphasized that Liberia possesses an abundance of raw football talent but lacks the structural investment needed to transform that potential into a sustainable sports industry.
“Football can be developed with strong government support and direct intervention,” Boakai said.
“We already have the talent. What we need now is investment in grassroots programs and infrastructure.”
Liberia’s Football Legacy and Untapped Potential
Football holds a unique place in Liberia’s national identity.
The country remains the only African nation to have produced a George Weah, the 1995 winner of the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual prize. Weah’s historic achievement elevated Liberia onto the global football stage and inspired generations of young athletes across the country.
Despite that legacy, experts say Liberia’s football ecosystem has struggled to translate individual brilliance into sustained institutional success.
According to regional sports development reports, Liberia has fewer than a dozen fully equipped stadiums and training facilities, many of which require rehabilitation.
Grassroots programs often the foundation of football development in successful nations remain limited and underfunded.
The Liberia Football Association (LFA), the sport’s governing body, has attempted reforms in recent years, including youth leagues, coaching education, and partnerships with international football institutions.
But Boakai argues that these efforts, while commendable, cannot succeed without broader national support.
“The Liberia Football Association is doing its part to help the sector, but more needs to be done,” he said. “The LFA cannot do it all alone.”
Grassroots Development: The Missing Foundation
Globally, football development experts agree that grassroots systems community leagues, school competitions, and youth academies are essential for nurturing professional talent.
Countries like Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria have built structured youth programs that regularly feed players into European and international leagues.
For example:
Senegal’s football academies have produced stars such as Sadio Mané.
Ghana’s youth development systems helped launch the careers of global players like Michael Essien.
In Liberia, however, many young players still develop their skills informally on community fields and street pitches, with limited access to professional training, sports medicine, or scouting networks.
Boakai believes this gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“Grassroots football is the heartbeat of the sport. If we invest there, the future of Liberian football will automatically improve,” he noted.
Infrastructure Challenges
Infrastructure remains one of the most significant barriers to football development in Liberia.
While the country’s primary stadium, Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, has undergone renovations in recent years, sports analysts say Liberia still lacks adequate regional stadiums, training centers, and community sports facilities.
According to sports development estimates:
Over 65% of youth players in Liberia train on informal or poorly maintained fields.
Only a small number of clubs have access to professional-level training facilities.
Community leagues often operate with minimal equipment and logistical support.
Boakai says these limitations restrict talent development and prevent local leagues from reaching their full potential.
Leveraging International Connections
Boakai also stressed the importance of leveraging Liberia’s international football relationships to strengthen the domestic game.
He specifically referenced Mustapha Raji, the president of the Liberia Football Association, whose connections within the FIFA network could help mobilize additional funding and technical assistance.
“We need to leverage the connections of Mustapha Raji at FIFA to help support the sector,” Boakai said.
Through FIFA’s global football development initiatives including the FIFA Forward Programme, billions of dollars have been invested worldwide to support infrastructure, youth training, and administrative reforms.
Several African nations have already benefited significantly from these funds.
Football as a Tool for Youth Empowerment
Beyond sport, Boakai believes football can serve as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and employment.
Liberia faces significant youth unemployment challenges.
According to development reports, more than 60% of Liberia’s population is under the age of 25, and job opportunities remain limited in many sectors.
Sports economists argue that football ecosystems create jobs far beyond the pitch, including:
Coaching and technical training
Sports journalism and media
Event management
Sports marketing and merchandising
Stadium operations and security
“Football is a pathway for youth empowerment and job creation,” Boakai emphasized.
“If we invest in the sector, the benefits will extend across the entire economy.”
A Call for National Sports Policy
Analysts say Boakai’s remarks highlight the need for a comprehensive national sports development strategy that integrates government, private investors, and international partners.
Many countries have transformed football into major economic sectors through coordinated policies linking sports development to education, tourism, and youth programs.
Without such long-term planning, experts warn that Liberia risks losing generations of talented players who lack access to structured opportunities.
For Boakai and other sports advocates, the message is clear: Liberia’s football future depends on bold investments today.
From grassroots academies to modern stadiums, the country’s football sector could become a powerful driver of social and economic transformation if the right policies and partnerships are put in place.
“The talent is already here,” Boakai concluded. “What we need now is the investment to unlock it.”
