LFA VEEP Reid-Seton Calls for Structural Reforms and Equal Support for Women’s Football
February 24, 2026
Monrovia: The Third Vice President and Head of Women’s Football of the Liberia Football Association (LFA), Madam Jodie Marian Reid-Seton, has underscored the urgent need for structural reforms to advance women’s football in Liberia.
Speaking to journalists during the LFA Extraordinary Congress held on February 22, 2026, Madam Reid-Seton emphasized that meaningful inclusion and equitable investment are critical to the growth and sustainability of the women’s game.
Many communities still hold traditional views that prioritize male sports, leading to a lack of support for women’s football thereby affecting participation and funding.
Inadequate facilities for training and matches often time hinder the development of female players. Women’s football programs frequently struggle with funding which limits resources for training, travel, and competition, making it hard for teams to compete effectively.
Addressing the media minutes after the congress, Madam Reid-Seton described the inclusion of women’s football in the National County Sports Meet, Liberia’s premier platform for grassroots talent identification and development, as long overdue.
She noted that although women’s football has featured twice in the history of the tournament, both appearances were funded solely by the LFA. According to her, this practice is unsustainable and inequitable.
She stressed that women’s football must be incorporated into the official national budget framework from the outset, rather than relying on the Association to independently mobilize resources. “Women’s football deserves the same attention, institutional backing, and financial allocation as the men’s game,” she stated, calling for equal prioritization of both the male and female National Teams.
Addressing broader concerns about gender equality in sports, Madam Reid-Seton declared that disparities based on gender can no longer be tolerated. She further demonstrated her commitment to fairness by noting that if there was a male equivalent of kickball, advocacy efforts would equally support its inclusion and development.
She said women’s sports receive less media attention, which affects visibility and sponsorship opportunities impacting fan engagement and support while noting that cultural norms in some areas, are discouraging women from pursuing sports, something affecting recruitment and retention of players including the risk of injury and lack of access to medical support, which can deter participation.
“Addressing these challenges requires community support, investment in infrastructure, and advocacy for women’s rights in sports’.
The LFA Vice President also cautioned against what she described as “political play” surrounding women’s football and kickball. She clarified that advocates are not seeking to undermine or replace existing sports disciplines, but rather to secure rightful space and recognition for women’s football within the National County Sports Meet, a space she said has historically been denied.
Madam Reid-Seton reaffirmed that empowering women and girls through football remains a central pillar of the LFA leadership’s strategic vision. She emphasized that advancing women’s participation in football aligns with the Association’s broader development agenda and commitment to inclusive sports governance in Liberia.
