DECLARATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF SLFA 2012:
By Rodney Edmond Michael
Mr Chairman, Cabinet Ministers and Honourable Members of Parliament, members of the high table, distinguished invited guests, members of the football family and members of the 4th estate, good evening to you all and thanks for honouring our invitation.
As the famous saying goes, a journey of a mile starts with the first step in the right direction and so the journey that has led us to this wonderful and historic moment started 26 years ago when as a young 14 year old boy I was invited to be a member of the Bo District FA.
I thank God for being my protector through all these years and my wonderful wife and family for tolerating and accepting football as part of my life, which at times has been very frustrating for them.
Like most in the football family, the years gone by have been very expensive, with a lot of time and energy sacrificed for the love and passion we have for the “beautiful game” called football.
And like most of you in the football family, the only reward I have ever received and which has spurred me on and provided me with renewed energy against all other obstacles and frustrations, has been the friendship I can now boast of with many of you through this wonderful game; and for that I would want to use this opportunity to say a big Thank you for your friendship which was reflected in the extraordinarily warm reception we received in all the 12 districts during our consultations with you the stake holders over the last 7 days.
In some districts like Kailahun District, which adopted me as a son of the soil in 2010, I could not help but to shed a tear seeing very young girls in football attires expressing their desire to be catered for adequately and provided the opportunity to play football regularly with the hope of playing for the National Team. Kailahun District FA deserves special recognition for such a wonderful attempt of introducing girls at such a young age and this effort was also reflected in the boys’ team as well, with limited support.
On behalf of my Campaign team let me extend our appreciation to all of you the members of the 12 district FAs for making us feel at home.
Like a bride to be, football has owners and relatives and so the Campaign team accompanied me on a journey through the length and breadth of the country, spanning 7 days, 50 hours and over 1,500 miles of driving, through the smooth tarred roads to Kambia, Port Loko, Bombali, Tonkolili, Bo and Kenema, and the difficult journey to Koinadugu, Kono, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kailahun and Bonthe districts, with the aim of consulting the relatives and owners for permission to announce the “intent of marriage”.
After wonderful consultations and very frank deliberations and advice, I have been given the permission to declare here today in front of family and friends, the media and the relatives of the football bride to be, my candidacy for the Presidency of the Sierra Leone Football Association, as the perfect husband of this “beautiful game” we all love and cherish so much.
I have opted to present a speech like synopsis of our manifesto here tonight but let me assure that a comprehensive manifesto has been prepared and will be distributed in the very near future.
I will first of all want to clarify that “The Rodney Michael for SLFA President 2012” does not consider other contenders as oppositions but rather as partners in development, with different ideologies and philosophies on the way forward for football, and so I pledge on behalf of our campaign that we will endeavour to avoid commenting on the inadequacies and short falls of others or the FA Executive, but rather will be concentrating on promoting the rich list of proposals we have put together to improve the game.
Let me at this point congratulate the Leone Stars, The Technical team, the FA and the Ministry of Sports on the improving ranking position and also wish them, in advance, the best of luck for the three matches in June. Our prayers are with them and all National Teams always as we consider them the pride of Sierra Leone.
We have chosen as a motto “transforming football for the better” with the slogan “one game one family” and the guiding principle that there is a time for every purpose. We believe the time is right for the generational change, whilst recognizing the efforts of those before us. It is our belief however that the Nation craves for a new generation to initiate a new approach that will transform the beautiful game and unite the family.
As head of the executive and President of the SLFA, I promise to lead as a servant of the Football family, seeking your interests always and ensuring equal opportunities for all Regions, Districts and Clubs, without any form of favouritism or malice.
The Executive you elect will be encouraged to work towards restoring the credibility and respect of the football association locally and internationally, whilst respecting and recognizing Congress as the Supreme Body of football in the country and adhering strictly to the provisions of the constitution and protecting the integrity of the association.
We will introduce prudent policies and measures to ensure administrative, financial and technical accountability not only to the members of the Football Association, but to the public as a whole, with quarterly reports and statements posted on an SLFA website to be managed by professionals for all to see.
These same policies will be introduced at Regional and district levels as well.
It is a well known fact that the football family has been divided over the years and so we must in the interest of the land that we love, Sierra Leone, be willing to put our differences aside and work together. It is my honest belief that in the interest of our Nation, we must be willing to embrace one another to unite the family. The Executive will introduce as a means of restoring sanity and harmony into the family the 3R’s doctrine; Reconciliation, Recognition and Respect, and also consider establishing the Resolution Chamber to resolve all problems.
It will be my primary intent to enter an MOU with the Ministry of Sports and Sports Council, which will identify the acceptable involvement and collaboration of Government as against interference, and to serve as a foundation for a rock solid working relationship for the future.
Sponsorship and partnership locally and internationally has always been a stumbling block and many have complained without searching for a solution. My Executive will take a lead in dialogue with Government Line Ministries and Agencies, Parliament, other sporting disciplines and potential sponsors to propose a sports policy that will initiate incentives for companies who through their corporate social responsibilities and generosity support sports. This policy will ease the burden of acquiring sponsorship not only for football but for all sporting disciplines.
The Executive will also dialogue with our international partners in particular FIFA, CAF and WAFU to improve our relationship with the aim of acquiring adequate and fair representation in standing committees of these bodies and to be considered for support in other areas and other formats of the game such as beach football and futsal.
One of our utmost priorities will be to improve and empower the Secretariat so as to enable them become more efficient and better structured. In this light we will adequately decentralize the Secretariat so as to encourage each Region to have an identical structure to that of the National Secretariat and all staff members of the Regional Secretariats will carry the title of Assistants to the National positions. This will allow for the Regions to be actively involved in the administration of the game nationally through their Regions.
The Regional Secretariats will be answerable to their Regional Executives and all communications from the National Secretariat should be with the knowledge and approval of the President of the Association as supervisor of the National Secretariat.
The General Secretary will remain the most senior employee of the National Secretariat and will be required to maintain the highest level of work ethic, dedication, honesty, human relationship and efficiency, ensuring the Secretariat earns the utmost respect nationally and internationally. The same criteria are expected of all Secretariat staff and employment will be on merit.
It is my desire to empower the Regional and District Associations and to encourage their active participation in the game. They will be delegated authority to administer the game at Regional level and will be financially empowered with the allocation of a greater percentage of all revenues to be equally distributed to all Regions, and to be used in the manner each Region considers best in the interest of their membership for the growth and development of the game in the Regions.
The Regional executives will rotate nominations for international assignments and courses but will be required to ensure these nominations are selected on merit.
The FA will work with the Regions to provide administrative offices in all Regions and districts within the next four years. In addition we will dialogue with the District and City councils to seek the possibility of taking over and investing on stadiums in all districts and cities. It was fascinating to be taken on a tour of the Koidu Holdings sponsored residential structures for Diamond Stars of Kono, a package which is also on-going in Tongo for Gem Stars as beneficiaries. I salute Koidu Holdings as the leading sponsors of football in Sierra Leone today and commend PC Paul Saquee and Hon Francis Konowa for acquiring such sponsorship. I must also recognize the NaCSA financed stadium in Kailahun and The Moyamba Stadium built by the District Council. However it is sad to note that major districts like Kambia and Pujehun, in spite of acquiring very ideal land, are unable to boast of playing fields and urgently need some Government or NGO or corporate support.
Over the years, The National teams have been an excessive burden on the FA and Government and thus preparations have never been satisfactory. In this light I will propose to the Executive and the Ministry that we establish an autonomous Management Committee to supervise the administrative, financial and technical aspects of all National Teams, charged with the responsibility of fundraising, marketing, sponsorship and media promotions. The composition will have representatives from the Ministry, The FA Executive and members of the public. The Secretariat must be represented by The Technical Director and The Finance Officer whilst The General Secretary or a representative will serve as Secretary to the Committee. The Management Committee will be accountable to the Ministry and the FA. This action will ensure adequate planning and proper preparations for the National Teams, provide the atmosphere and opportunity for qualifications to Major Tournaments, and to encourage and assure sponsors and Government of transparency.
As President I will ensure the appointments and nominations of members of the standing committees and Statutory Bodies of SLFA, as established in the statutes, is done on ability and regionally balanced to provide the opportunity for administrators of clubs, districts and Regions to actively participate at the National level. Former Administrators, players, referees and coaches will be considered to serve in these committees, as will members of the public.
The Executive will ensure and protect the independence of these committees and bodies, and will provide budgetary support and training courses to assist them become more efficient.
A monthly report for appraisal will be expected from these committees and where necessary, the Executive will consult with them on specific issues relating to their terms of reference.
There is no disputing the fact that the national leagues must be properly structured and thus we will introduce a football calendar to run from September to June, and to establish fixtures and not schedules.
In this regard, the executive will work with the PLB, Regional Associations and other competitions committees to identify the problems and seek the solutions to restore some respectability and national structure to the Leagues, inclusive of female and youth football. We will also seek expertise in the areas of female and youth football so that we can design a policy for the future that will ensure their steady growth in every district in the country. There will definitely be affirmative action in favour of female administrators and former female players to be involved in the running of the female National Teams and the Female leagues.
We will revive the FA Cup but this time with a difference by encouraging non SLFA members to participate such as Universities, corporate houses, institutions, social groups and other sporting disciplines. This will be a perfect example of how football can be used as a bridge to unite people, and a tool to build communities.
The executive will allocate some funds to these leagues annually but the priority will be to find ways of acquiring adequate and reliable sponsorship, without which it will be difficult to efficiently organize these leagues.
In my reign as BDFA Chairman, I financed the training of referees and recently sponsored 23 coaches for the B License course organized by the SLFA. This is evidence of the importance I have always placed on courses to develop our administrators, referees and coaches. It is with sincerity that I pledge my commitment to work with the General Secretary, as the administrative head, as well as The National referees and Coaches association to organize regular courses and where necessary to solicit expertise from FIFA, CAF and other football associations, so as to improve the quality of administration, officiating and the technical aspect of the game.
I will also examine the possibility of seeking scholarships for members of these three vital organs in appreciation of the important role they play in the development of the game.
I would like to pause for a moment at this stage to acknowledge the presence of all former and current footballers of all National teams. I ask that you join me in acknowledging their presence.
It is for this reason that the Campaign Committee chose the Old Skool complex as the ideal venue to declare my intent and launch the Campaign, as it is owned by Sierra Leone’s most successful footballer and true face of Sierra Leone Football, Mr Mohamed Kallon, as evidence of the value we place in recognizing the true Heroes of this country.
I must also confess that Mr. Kallon refused to accept any payment for the hiring of the complex and for that I am extremely grateful.
My Executive will always honour and respect the National Heroes of this country and thus will support the Heroes Foundation in their endeavours and invite them to be members of standing committees and active in the development of the game.
There are two other important players in football- the fans and the media. Regrettably we have never appreciated the fans as a major factor but let me assure all present here tonight that during my term as President, we will revive the National Supporters Association and they will be considered in every decision relating to the National teams in particular. Their uncompromising support and love for their national heroes will be appreciated and recognized always.
The media and I have always enjoyed a wonderful relationship and let me hasten to state here that if not for their support, my tenure as PLB Chairman would never have been the success it was. The League was introduced to the world through their contributions in the online sites and scores were reported to www.soccerway.com and www.sierraleonefootball.com regularly.
Their daily reporting and promotion of the league on radio programmes, print newspaper publications and online sites gave our sponsors the adequate mileage they desired.
In appreciation of their importance, I vow to establish a partnership with SWASAL in particular and all sports journalists in general, without interfering with their independence and obligation as members of the 4th estate. I would also appreciate their constructive and objective criticisms which will help me become a better leader.
In order to achieve all of the above, my Executive will immediately establish a Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) to prepare a development strategy for the next four years and to suggest ways and means of scoring the relevant goals to lead us to success.
The SPC will serve as the Executive’s “Think Tank” and advise on the best approach for the development of the game. The composition will not be restricted to members of the football family alone as we drive towards encouraging passionate patriotic Sierra Leoneans to join us develop the game.
I have presented a synopsis of the ideas and philosophies I believe will “transform football for the better” and make football in Sierra Leone “one game one family”. It is by no means conclusive but the Manifesto will be more explicit with the details.
Please join me at this stage in thanking the National and Regional Campaign committees for the “Rodney Michael for SLFA President 2012” for believing in me and working selflessly to keep the campaign on course. Words cannot express my appreciation.
I hope that my presentation, coupled with my 26 years experience and the role I have played over the years to help develop the game, will convince the delegates present here tonight that come 21st July 2012, they can place their trust and confidence in me as the worthy President to lead the football association for the next four years.
I urge you to stand by me and support my candidacy for the Presidency so that together we can “transform football for the better” and unite under the banner of “one game one family”.
Thank you all for your patience and time.
