The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), recently concluded a dynamic two-day training workshop for Club Licensing Officers. Hosted at Freetown’s Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel on December 11th and 12th, the event brought together over 50 club administrators representing both male and female Premier League clubs.

The primary focus of the Training-of-Trainers workshop was to empower participants with the requisite skills to effectively navigate the newly launched Club Licensing Online Platform. This platform has been designed to streamline club licensing and stadium inspection procedures across the African continent.

Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, speaking on behalf of CAF instructors Hamza Sorouri and Francis Essah Adu, commended the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by the participants. Adu, impressed by the rapid comprehension exhibited by the attendees, praised their quick grasp of the platform, making the instructors' job notably smoother.

Vice President-1 Harold Nat-Johnson expressed gratitude towards the CAF instructors for successfully introducing the online platform to local Club Licensing Officers. He encouraged participants to disseminate their newfound knowledge by organizing similar workshops at their respective clubs, ensuring a widespread understanding of the system among football administrators.

Nat-Johnson also took the opportunity to provide updates on the ongoing construction of five artificial turf pitches across Sierra Leone. Assuring that all SLFA sanctioned competitions would utilize standard pitches by June 2024, he highlighted the progress made in locations such as Port Loko Town Field, Bo Coronation Field, Sierra Leone Football Association Academy, and the Approved School Playing Field in Freetown.

Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh underscored the importance of adapting to the digital shift in global football. He emphasized the need for continuous engagement with the platform, reinforcing the adage, “practice makes perfect.”

The successful conclusion of this workshop marks a significant stride in enhancing football administration in Sierra Leone, aligning the nation’s clubs with digital advancements in the sport on the continent and beyond.