The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Female Football Team received a major boost on Saturday with the inauguration of a newly constructed clubhouse at the Kingtom Police Barracks field.

The facility, designed to improve team preparations and accommodate players, especially those from abroad, was officially opened by Mrs. Matilda Doris Sellu, wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and President of the Police Wives Association.

The initiative addresses long-standing accommodation challenges faced by the team. Mrs. Sellu, who spearheaded the project, expressed her commitment to ensuring a comfortable environment for the players, donating essential household items such as foam mattresses and freezers for the clubhouse.

She also contributed two new footballs and pledged ongoing support for the team as they prepare for the 2024/2025 female premier league season.

“Proper maintenance of these facilities will inspire us to continue investing in the team,” Mrs. Sellu said during the ceremony, urging both players and supporters to take responsibility for the upkeep of the new clubhouse.

The event, attended by senior police officials and sports enthusiasts, also saw ACP Brima Kamara, Head of the SLP’s Media, Public Relations, and Sports Department, commend the contributions of IGP Sellu and his deputy, DIG Samadia, in promoting female football within the force. He noted that their wives had played a key role in supporting the team’s development.

ASP Martin Jusu Samba, Chairman of the SLP Sports Committee, provided background on the project, highlighting the accommodation struggles faced by the team, particularly for foreign players. The new clubhouse, he said, was built to resolve these issues.

The ceremony concluded with the introduction of ten new signings, including five foreign players, and a ribbon-cutting to officially open the clubhouse. With the support of Mrs. Sellu and the SLP Sports Committee, the team is optimistic about its chances of winning trophies in the upcoming season.