The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), concluded a dynamic two-day training workshop for Club Licensing Officers.

The event, held at Freetown’s Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel on December 11th and 12th, gathered over 50 club administrators from both male and female Premier League clubs.

The focus of the Training-of-Trainers workshop was to equip participants with the necessary skills to navigate the newly launched Club Licensing Online Platform. This platform aims to streamline club licensing and stadium inspection procedures across the continent.

Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, speaking on behalf of CAF instructors Hamza Sorouri and Francis Essah Adu, praised the dedication and enthusiasm of the participants. Adu, impressed by the rapid comprehension displayed by the attendees, lauded their swift grasp of the platform, making the instructors’ job notably easier.

Vice President-1 Harold Nat-Johnson expressed gratitude towards the CAF instructors for successfully introducing the online platform to local Club Licensing Officers. He urged the 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 seized the opportunity to update attendees on the ongoing construction of five artificial turf pitches across Sierra Leone. Confidently stating that all SLFA sanctioned competitions would utilize standard pitches by June 2024, he highlighted the progress made in locations like 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.