The training programme, which was held in Freetown, brought together men and women serving in key administrative roles in women's football across different regions and districts. The programme aimed to improve the management and development of women's football in Sierra Leone. Participants received training in areas including leadership, strategic planning, and financial management. The training was facilitated by FIFA experts Tsholofelo Candy Setlhoko from Botswana and Thubaelihe Bridgette Sibanda from Zimbabwe.
The SLFA General Secretary, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, attended the closing ceremony alongside Deputy General Secretary Ishmail Saidu Kanu and Angela Gabidon, secretary of the Marampa Mines Women's Premier League Board. Also present was SLFA Women's Football Manager Elizabeth Alberta Kailey. The training covered various topics, including safeguarding, sustainable club management, SWOT analysis, action planning, monitoring, and evaluation. These topics are crucial for the development of women's football in Sierra Leone.
The training programme forms part of efforts by the SLFA and FIFA to strengthen the administrative structures supporting women's football and build the capacity needed to implement Sierra Leone's first-ever Women's Football Strategy. The strategy was recently launched, and the SLFA believes that this training will help administrators implement it effectively. The programme provided participants with practical knowledge and skills that they can use to improve football administration in their communities.
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, Bawoh thanked FIFA for supporting the programme. He emphasized the importance of equipping administrators with the right knowledge and professional skills to help implement the Women's Football Strategy. Bawoh expressed hope that the training would have a positive impact on the development of women's football in Sierra Leone.
FIFA facilitator Thubaelihe Bridgette Sibanda encouraged participants to apply what they had learned in their respective districts and regions. She urged them to work together to improve the organisation and growth of the women's game. The participants also received support and guidance from FIFA facilitator Tsholofelo Candy Setlhoko.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Fatima M. Kamara thanked the SLFA and FIFA for the training opportunity. She said the programme had provided them with practical knowledge and skills that they could use to improve football administration in their communities. All 35 participants received certificates endorsed by FIFA and the SLFA after completing the programme.
The SLFA and FIFA plan to continue their collaboration to develop women's football in Sierra Leone. The training programme is a significant step towards achieving this goal. The SLFA believes that the trained administrators will play a crucial role in implementing the Women's Football Strategy and promoting the growth of women's football in the country.
Key points
- The SLFA and FIFA have completed a three-day training programme for 35 women's football administrators in Sierra Leone.
- The programme aimed to improve the management and development of women's football in Sierra Leone.
- The trained administrators will play a crucial role in implementing Sierra Leone's first-ever Women's Football Strategy.
