The Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) are holding talks in response to the recent outbreak of violence that occurred during the Football Association (FA) Cup finals between East End Lions and Bo Rangers Football Clubs at the Port Loko Playing Field.
The NSA’s executive director, Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq., and the minister of sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, both voiced concerns regarding the SLFA’s political divisions and security measures, match officiating, and venue selection. Outlining these worries and reiterating the government’s opposition to violence in sports, the NSA wrote the SLFA a letter.
Minister James-Teima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prohibiting unsportsmanlike behaviour at sporting events during a meeting at the Ministry of Sports. Dr Abdulai outlined the security issues brought up by the national security apparatus and stressed how important it is for football to flourish in an impartial and neutral environment. Harold Nat-Johnson, the Vice President of the SLFA, gave the assurance that the Referees Committee would look into claims of subpar officiating and that the choice of Port Loko as the location was decided upon before the FA Cup draw.
Although the SLFA accepted that the field had flaws, they stressed that spectators should not use violence. They had requested assistance from the Sierra Leone Police in putting in place the required security measures. It was decided that the SLFA would carry out an internal inquiry and provide a report detailing suggested actions to address the recent incident to the government in seventy-two hours.
Minister James-Teima underlined that government support for the FA Cup relies on future games maintaining safety, fairness, and the spirit of the game. The goal is to establish a setting in which the people of Sierra Leone can take pleasure in a tournament that is appropriately guarded and impartially overseen. In conclusion, the government’s and the SLFA’s joint efforts show a dedication to tackling the problems of sports violence and ensuring that upcoming FA Cup matches are held in a way that respects safety and fairness.
