FODEDE BOSS WALLACE WEIAH
The president of FODEDE (Football to Develop Destitute) and newly elected Women’s Football Chairman at the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Mr. Wallace G. Weiah has released his planed programs for the development of women’s football in Liberia. According Mr. Weiah, FODEDE has begun the recruitment and training of 32 female soccer players between the ages of 12 and 30 years old under its Street Soccer Program and also four (4) other players have been selected and sponsored to undergo coaching training under the Liberia Football Association Coaches’ Association coaching program.
These programs have been initiated ahead of the LFA and Government future programs for Liberia Female team’s participation in international football encounters. In order to achieve this vision of our girls getting back on the international scene, Mr. Weiah has set up a sponsorship committee, headed by Mr. Jallah Corvah. This committee is clothed with the responsibility to solicit sporting equipment and logistics for the program. Other committee members are: D. Lorenzo Zammie, Sponsor, Senior Pro. Female team, Michael Caliyeneh, President, Blanco FC and Mr. Jimmie T. Toe, FIFA Desk Officer at the Liberia Football Association. In addition, Mr. Toe has been appointed as Program Coordinator and Coach Samuel Cooper as Technical Director for FODEDE’S Street Soccer Program in Liberia. Others on the technical team are: Dehkontee Sayon Administrative Manager, Lawrence Hne, Coach; Roberson Warnner, Assistant Coach, Emmanuel Bearkie Assistant Coach and Anthony Roberts, Medics.
Meanwhile, FODEDE through its United States based partners; The Discoveries Soccer Club of the United States of America, has donated assorted sporting materials which include 20 footballs, 27 pieces of cones, video camera, boots, T-shirts, etc. Also, a major consignment of sporting equipment is expected in few weeks in the country from the Homeless World Cup Foundation for use by the FODEDE Street Soccer Program.
Mr. Weiah Received the Equipment from Discoveries Soccer representative Manfred Makor
Players recruited also benefit from life skills training program being run by GOWGIS (Giving Opportunity to Women and Girls in Sports) this organization will engage these players in various skills training programs such as Hair platting/braiding, Tailoring, Tide dying, Pastry and Coaching; under the theme: One Step Beyond Football for women in sports empowerment enhancement.
Girls benfiting from FODEDE training program
In order to be a part of FODEDE street soccer program, it is mandatory that you participate in one or two of these life skills training programs. Participants will also have the opportunity to be recruited to represent Liberia at the Homeless World Cup International Annual Street Soccer Tournament and Liberia National Female U-17, U-20 and senior teams. Deserving players will also benefit from the International Athlete College Scholarship like Cherie Sayon and Famatta Boimah, who are currently studying in the US.,.
However, FODEDE is calling on all humanitarian individuals, private & international organizations, including UN Agencies to donate materials and financial support to the program. These humanitarian gestures will help give these young women a better future.
