By Kemoh Sesay
At the usual BBC Media Action Tok Bot Salone radio debate, yesterday Wednesday 19 June, former footballers and fans blamed the Minister of Sports Paul Kamara and football stakeholders for the decline of the game in the country.
Speaking at the Atlantic Hall on the topic ’Football in Sierra Leone: Governance and Politics’, participants expressed disappointment that the Salone Premier League has still not commenced. They also blasted the poor organization of football in the country.
Minister Paul Kamara said since he assumed office the national team has achieved the best position ever on the FIFA ranking while not suffering any defeat at home. He said, “I love football and would like to see it improve in Sierra Leone” said Kamara.
Most members of the audience said the problems in football started during the days of the Nahim Khadi executive and called for the proposed Elective Congress of the SLFA to be held now because that was “the only way out for peace within the football family after which the future will be discussed”.
One of the aspirants for the top job Rodney Michael told Politico that the debate was a stepping stone in bringing out burning issues affecting the game. Michael said, “Most of the issues that hinder the progress of Salone football has been highlighted and the only way forward is the election, but after the elections there will be a lot of work to be done by the winner”.
