Ministry of Youth and Sports Unveils 45 Member Committee to Mobilize Funds for Lonestar

Monrovia – The Ministry of Youth and Sports, under the leadership of Jeror Bangalu, has announced a 45-member committee tasked with raising funds to support Liberia's national football team, the Lone Star. The initiative aims to boost the team's preparations for major international competitions, including the upcoming AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The committee, led by businessman Floyd Tomah as chairman and co-chaired by Christopher Onanuga, CEO of Ctcom Liberia and Liberia’s At-Large Ambassador for Tourism, will focus on generating the financial resources needed to enhance the national team’s performance.

The committee includes notable figures such as LFA 3rd Vice President Jodie Reid-Seton, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Ali, NASSCORP General Manager Dewitt Vanballmoo, LPRC Managing Director Amos Tweh, and several others representing various sectors of Liberian society.

The Lone Star has faced significant financial challenges, with the current national budget allocating only USD 150,000 annually for all Lone Star teams. These limitations have affected the team's ability to adequately prepare for international competitions, leading to issues such as unpaid salaries for coaches, hotel bills, and travel expenses.

Sports analysts and fans alike are hopeful that the newly formed committee will address these challenges and provide the much-needed financial support to propel the Lone Star forward in its campaigns. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, along with the Liberia Football Association (LFA), will work closely with the committee to tackle the financial difficulties currently facing the national team.

As Liberia's national team embarks on these crucial competitions, the success of the 45-member committee will be key in ensuring that the Lone Star is well-prepared and equipped to compete on the international stage.

The full list of committee members was officially released by the Ministry on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, marking the beginning of the mobilization efforts for the Lone Star.