The 2024 Sierra Leone Premier League is set to commence on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Port Loko Mini Stadium, with a groundbreaking initiative to empower participating teams financially and enhance the competitiveness of the tournament.

Magistrate Mark Ngegba, Chairman of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board, announced that each of the 18 participating clubs would receive 100 million Leones in seed funding to launch their campaigns.

This move, the first of its kind in the league’s history, is expected to bolster club preparations and elevate the standard of the competition.

For the first time, prize money will be awarded across all 18 teams, ensuring recognition for every club’s efforts. The league champion will receive a cash prize of 500 million Leones, while the runner-up will earn 250 million Leones. Clubs finishing third through eighteenth will also receive consolation rewards, though the exact amounts are yet to be disclosed.

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Chairman Ngegba expressed optimism about the upcoming season, noting the readiness of all teams to compete at the highest level.

He also emphasized the independence of the newly established Disciplinary and Appeals Committees, which will handle disputes and disciplinary matters throughout the season.

In a significant step toward modernizing the league, Acting Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Benson Bawoh, revealed that all Premier League clubs are now registered on FIFA’s Club Licensing platform. This system is designed to streamline player transfers, enhance governance, and resolve conflicts more efficiently.

For the first time, the SLFA will not provide direct financial support to the clubs. Instead, teams are expected to manage their operations using the seed money provided by the Premier League Board. According to Bawoh, this development signals progress toward a more self-reliant and professionally managed league.

The 2024 Sierra Leone Premier League is anticipated to be a turning point for football in the country. With improved financial incentives, heightened competition, and a focus on professionalism, the tournament is poised to attract more fans and inspire greater participation.

As the countdown begins, football enthusiasts across Sierra Leone eagerly await what promises to be one of the most exciting and transformative seasons in the league’s history.