By Shadrach Aziz Kamara

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the leading mobile operator in the country, Africell Sierra Leone in partnership with the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League (SLWPL) on Saturday 15th October 2022, held an official opening ceremony for the first-ever 2022/23 National Women’s Premier League Season at the Wusum Stadium in Makeni City, Bombali District in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

The ceremony started with an exhibition match between the Lelemu 11 led by Captain Nancy L. Turay versus the Women’s Premier League Board (WPLB) led by Captain Musu Pelle and the match ended up one-nil in favour of the Women’s Premier League Board (WPLB) 11. It was a very colourful and symbolic encounter at the Wusum Stadium when the match kicked off between the host team Mena Queens based in Makeni and the Kahunla Queens from Kenema City.

After ninety minutes of play, the match ended up one-nil in favour of the Kahunla Queens. The only goal of the match was scored by Matilda Kabba of the Kahunla Queens and she was awarded Queens of the match for outstanding performance. The league was officially launched amid thousands of football fans, which saturated the streets of the Northern City of Makeni.

In his address, His Excellency the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio expressed elation over the revival of female football, while clarifying that this is the first time in the country’s history to host a female premier league. He assured the audience of the government’s continuous investment to promote the sector. The development of football, he said, forms part of Human Capital Development by providing training and job opportunities for women to reach their fullest potential. He encouraged the various stakeholders to remain steadfast in promoting the game despite any challenges on the way. President Bio thanked the leadership of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) for supporting the Board while encouraging the Board to take up the challenge and make the league a success.

Whilst giving her keynote statement, the Guest of Honor, who happens to be the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Fatima Jabbie Bio expressed thanks and appreciation to the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League Board (SLWPLB), adding that, she is very proud to be part of the historic event.

“What men can do, women can do also do even better,” she affirmed. She applauded her husband for contributing immensely to women and girls.

The Board Chairperson, of Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League (SLWPL), Madam Asmaa James recalled that six months ago, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Thomas Daddy Brima appointed her to serve as Chairperson for the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League. She added that members of the Women’s Premier League Board put a premium on education and that is why every match of the SLWPL will be played during the weekend.

She furthered by encouraging the players to take their education very seriously, adding that there is a 28 years old Nigerian football player by the name of Abasi who combined her football with education and today she is a certified economist. She encouraged all Sierra Leone female players to emulate a good example of Abasi in Nigeria. She continued by thanking all those who inspired her to come into football, more especially the President of SLFA Thomas Daddy Brima for the confidence and trust he has reposed in her. She further thanked Africell Mobile Company, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, and Gento Group of Company for a job well done in supporting the league.

In his statement, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Thomas Daddy Brima thanked the Sierra Women’s Premier League Board for a job well done, adding that football can bring the nation together. He continued by thanking the government more, especially the president Dr Julius Maada Bio for his support toward football in the country, adding that whenever SLFA asked them for the support they always rendered it if not all but half. He went on by admonishing the players to take the game very seriously, adding that football is a lucrative job.