The seven man committee was instituted by ‘Fédération Internationale de Football Association’, FIFA, Confederation of African Football, CAF, Sierra Leone Football Association, SLFA, and the Ministry of Sport.
Chairperson of the seven man committee, Sorsor Conteh was responsible to identify and verify SLFA delegate members. He noted that the committee started it operations in May 2016 and was expected to complete the aforementioned task within three months; however Conteh apologized for the delayed in the identifying and verification process, which exceeds the stipulated duration for about nine month, owing to series of challenging circumstances.
Owing to series of challenges Sorsor mentioned that Kono, Kenema, and Kailahun were omitted during the identification and verification process, as he pointed out that local stakeholders at district level were at loggerheads to elect their representative for the extra ordinary congress. Sorsor went further to state that the operational budget was affected during the activities, as he affirmed that third party interference, especially by the Deputy Minister of Sport, Ishmail Al-Sankoh Conteh was attempted on several occasions.
Chairperson of the SLFA Stakeholders, Idrissa Mago Tarawally said that the committee membership had been committed to peace and tranquility in the game of football
‘’we proposed the convening of an extra ordinary congress to elect judicial bodies and electoral board as required under the SLFA statutory article 22q and 58. Only when these bodies are elected by congress, following that elected bodies will have the legitimacy to hear the controversial allegation of match fixing manipulation levied against their members for a period of three years’’ Mago asserted.
SLFA President, Madam Isha Johansen during the meeting extended her appreciation to President Koroma what she described as relentless effort to restore peace and tranquility in the country’s football. She further stated that she had stood for what she believed; which are integrity, credibility and discipline.
‘’ if that the reason, people accused me of ego well Mr. President I am guilty for that offence sir’’ Johansen affirmed, as she further encouraged stakeholders to embrace peace, for the love of the game as well as for the countless youth, that chosen football as their career.
President Ernest Bai Koroma after carefully listening to the various speakers, he recounted that valuable time and opportunity had been wasted, at the expense of the country’s young people.
’’I believe in solution as well as action, if the problem in football continues government will surely intervene’’ President Koroma promised. The President asserted that people normally blame the government, whenever there are controversial issue of football and national concerns.
He urged SLFA and the Ministry of Sport to fix the date for the forthcoming congress and instructed the seven man committee to accomplish their work amicably and inclusively, as he promised to open the forthcoming congress.
