By: Julius Konton
The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has officially taken over the Willis Knuckles Football Field popularly known as the Alpha Oldtimers Field marking the beginning of a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at transforming grassroots football and community sports development in Liberia.
The formal handover ceremony, held in Zubah Town, Paynesville, also served as the groundbreaking event for the modernization of the entire sporting facility, a project backed by FIFA’s global football development agenda.
A Strategic Investment in Sports Infrastructure
Speaking at the ceremony, LFA President Mustapha Raji described the takeover as a milestone in Liberia’s long-term sports development strategy, noting that access to quality playing surfaces remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.
“This is a historic moment for us,” Raji told sports reporters. “The field has now been turned over to the Football House for the sole purpose of sports development.
In the coming days, this ground will be transformed into a modern facility with green artificial turf, accessible to youths, grassroots players, adults, veterans, and the wider community.”
According to the LFA, the project aligns with FIFA’s Forward Development Programme, which has invested over US$2 billion globally since 2016 to improve football infrastructure, governance, and grassroots participation particularly in developing football nations.
From Community Field to Modern Facility
Once completed, the renovated Alpha Oldtimers Field will serve as a multi-purpose football hub, supporting youth academies, community leagues, veteran competitions, and talent identification programs.
Liberia currently has limited FIFA-standard playing surfaces, with many young players still developing on uneven, dusty grounds that increase injury risks and hinder technical development.
Sports analysts estimate that fewer than 10% of organized football matches in Liberia are played on quality pitches, highlighting the importance of the new facility.
Growing the Number of Pitches Nationwide
President Raji revealed that the Paynesville project is part of a broader expansion plan that has already increased the number of LFA-supported playing pitches from six to seven, with additional facilities expected in the coming years.
“Our dream is to ensure that at least one mini-pitch is constructed in each of Liberia’s fifteen counties,” Raji said.
“This vision is fully aligned with that of the Chief Patron of Sports, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who has emphasized creating safe and accessible spaces for young boys and girls to play, develop, and dream.”
Liberia has 15 counties, and sports development advocates say a county-based pitch strategy could significantly boost participation, especially in rural areas where access to structured sports remains limited.
Government Support Reduces Project Costs
A key boost to the project, according to the LFA president, is the Liberian government’s decision to grant duty-free privileges on imported construction materials and equipment.
“We are extremely happy that the President, along with his ministers and commissioners, has committed to supporting the LFA through duty-free importation of materials,” Raji stated.
“This decision has significantly reduced costs for both the LFA and FIFA, paving the way for smoother and faster construction.”
The LFA disclosed that six containers of equipment and materials are already arriving for the project, an indication, the LFA’s boss say, of strong institutional coordination between the football body, FIFA, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
A Gateway for Future Opportunities
With government backing and international support secured, Raji expressed confidence that the Paynesville facility would open doors for additional partnerships, competitions, and youth development initiatives.
“This is a huge gateway of opportunity for the Liberia Football Association,” he said.
“With the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other stakeholders, we are excited not only about this project, but about the many more opportunities we can explore to grow football nationwide.”
A Symbol of Renewal
Beyond football, the modernization of the Alpha Oldtimers Field is being viewed as a symbol of urban renewal and youth empowerment in Paynesville, one of Liberia’s most populated cities.
As construction begins, expectations are high that the project will help nurture the next generation of Liberian football talent turning once-neglected community fields into platforms for national pride, social cohesion, and international competitiveness
