President Weah Pledges Support To FIFA, CAF

Monrovia, Liberia – The President of the Republic, H. E. Dr. George Manneh Weah said football is key to youth development and global peace.

President Weah made the comments Wednesday, May 5, 2021, when the presidents of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) paid a courtesy call on him.

The Liberian Leader pledged his support to both FIFA and CAF to develop the game and youth.

Welcoming the two men to the country, the Chief Patron of Sports explained how excited he was about their decision to visit Liberia to see its progress.

He called for a renewed focus on education through sporting activities.

“The Young people of Liberia and Africa love the game. CAF and Fifa could reach out to them, providing investments in infrastructure and educational opportunities so that more Ballon d’Or winners can come from Africa,” the President said.

He emphasized that “as a Former Fifa Committee Member, I will always provide my expertise for the development of the game”.

The Liberian Leader then used the occasion to congratulate the CAF Boss Patrice Motsepe, while assuring him of his support to the continental body.

In separate remarks the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, along with his counterpart from the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has hailed the invaluable contribution of President George Manneh Weah to the game, describing him as an “incredible Icon of African and World Football”.

Both men assured President Weah during their continued support to the development of football in Liberia and the country’s economy through investments in football infrastructure and Liberian talents.

“Football can be a major catalyst in changing how Africa is perceived – improvement in football infrastructure will attract more investments”, the Fifa boss told President Weah.

Infantino and Motsepe lavished praise on the Liberian leader, noting that as Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner he brought pride to the continent and played a major role in promoting African Football beyond the region. “You are an incredible iconic figure in world football and I’m proud as an African of your exploits on and off the field,” the billionaire South African President of CAF remarked.

“I can assure you that we will be in partnership with Liberia to help improve the country’s football infrastructure rather than condemning them. This will be my focus as President of CAF”, Motsepe continued. Liberia, he said, has incredible football talent, and “you Mr. President serve as an inspiration”.

The CAF boss used the occasion to disclose his Family’s personal investment of U.S $10 Million in sports education on the continent.