As the date for the nationwide league approaches, 13 out of 14 premier league football clubs across the country are currently bracing-up for the kick-off this weekend.
The league which is organized by the rival faction of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) who called themselves the Stakeholders is scheduled to start on Saturday 30th January at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.
Blamoh Roberts, head of media of the Stakeholders, said that the essence of organizing the league was to bring back the fans to the national stadium. “Football needs to play in the country and the players have been the most disadvantaged over the past years and now they are determined to get back on the field to thrill their fans,” he said.
FC Johansen, Robert said, is the only team that will not be taking part in the competition. He also said club owners were preparing their teams for the league with their own finances.
“We as members are contributing towards the organization of this league but as time progresses we will approach business houses for sponsorship,’’ said Roberts.
Amidu Koroma, head Coach of Old Edwardians Football Club, said that they are happy with the positive move made by the members to bring the teams together so that football will play after a very long period, a situation he blamed on politics within the football family.
“We have been preparing for this league for the past months, playing friendly matches which has helped greatly in keeping my boys fit. We are looking forward to a better and well structured league,” Koroma said.
Central Parade’s coach Bobson Kamara said that starting the league is very important for him as a coach and his players, because now he will have the opportunity to get their minds back to the game through effective training and team talk.
He said that over the past years players have taken their minds off the game by engaging themselves in other things instead of football. “It was a difficult situation faced by the players, but thank God the league is about to commence”.
The effect of the Ebola outbreak has had dire consequences on the game of football coupled with the infighting within the football family. But Abu Sankoh, head Coach of Mighty Black Pool, is optimistic that the different clubs’ willingness to participate in this league will help in bringing positive results into the hearts of players and football fans.
Venue for the matches includes the Siaka Stevens Stadium main bowl and Practicing Field, Approved School, Bo Coronation field, and Kono Town Field. Matches will only be played over the weekend.
The league will be played in two rounds and the champions will receive twenty million Leones and the runner-up ten million Leones. Prices will also be awarded to other categories that will be identified by the organizing body.
(C) Politico 26/01/16
