By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
An astonishing achievement was made on Saturday by the football family in Sierra Leone as the West African sports loving nation officially kick-off its maiden national Women’s Top-tier at the Wusum Stadium in the northeastern city of Makeni with a record number of attendance.
Spectators from all six regions nationwide including former players of both female and male national teams including former Sierra Queens Skipper Musu “Pele” Bangura and Leone Stars former captain Abubakarr “Tastao” Kamara, made up the huge crowd.
Other dignitaries in attendance were regional and districts football executive members, club managers, Journalists, the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Lisa Chesney among others, joined the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone His Excellency Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, and his wife Mrs. Fatima Bio for the official launching of the nation’s first ever national top-tier.
In style, EXCO Members of the Sierra Leone Football Association together with the SLFA President enjoined Paramount Chiefs of Bombali District, Members of the National Women’s Premier League Board, Government officials present among others gave a rousing welcome to President Bio at the 10,000 capacity Wusum Stadium which was full beyond its capacity.
It’s the first time since some three decades when a Women’s football showpiece is organized, and the Women’s Premier League Board-(WPLB) Chairperson Asmaa James, SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima, Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh and the National Sports Authority Executive Director Dr. Kenneth Brima have applauded President Bio “for his unflinching support towards sports development in the country especially, for providing funding to ensure the commencement date of the League."
On the sunny day, both teams and match officials excitedly shook hands with President Bio, who expressed his delight to be the sitting president under whose reign Sierra Leone has taken its maiden bold step towards the journey of empowering and developing female athletes and football in the country.
"We've not only made history today, but have shown our unity strength as a nation to develop. For this I want to specially say thanks to the SLFA leadership and the Women’s Premier League Board for staying true to the course of making the Women’s League a reality, and reaffirmed his Government’s commitment towards sports," said the statesman who ended by applauding the people of Makeni for playing host to such a historic national football event, saying "the large attendance for the league’s official opening ceremony speaks volume."
In the opening match, resilient visitors from the eastern regional city of Kenema Kahunla Queens shocked hosts Mena Queens of Makeni 0-1 in what has been described by spectators as a tightly contested encounter, thanks to winger Matilda Kabba’s 88th minute strike which earned her the Woman of the match award.
The first-ever Sierra Leone National Women’s League will see 12 teams namely: Albitaya Queens, Correctional Services, Patricia Umu Strikers, Vem Buck, Mena Queens, Kahulan Queens, Malema Queens, Mogbemo Queens, Koya Queens, FC Kallon and the Sierra Leone Police Football Club, “facing each other in the first-leg of 66 matches until 25th December, 2022 when the fixtures of the next stage will be announced,” according to Jenessi Matturi, the WPLB Secretary.
Meanwhile, no prize money has been unveiled yet by the organizers but the players and the football family are super excited that the Women's game has commenced in style.
League actions will continue every weekend for the remaining matches that will be played in 12 towns and cities across the country “to let the players be able to attend school and represent their teams,” Board Chairperson Asmaa James has assured.
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