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The centre referee for the Southern Arena Gala finale, Aminata Fullah has, in an exclusive interview with Sierraloaded, revealed that she felt proud to have officiated the match between Bo Rangers and East End Lions.
“I feel so special in my life and I thank God for the opportunity to officiate an all-male football match of such calibre,” Fullah said.
Fullah said she began her career as a match official in 2019 after giving up her career as a football player for Fant FC founded by a foreign national in Tonkolili District.
“I decided to quit because I was informed that the country lacks female referees and I started my training around 2018,” she said.
She said the journey for her has not always been smooth especially whenever she officiates male football matches because fans always use their emotions to rain curses and abusive languages on her and other female officials.
Fullah was also part of referees that officiated matches in the maiden Sierra Leone Female Premier League. She said the experience although different did not prove difficult for her because she used to officiate matches in the male category.
Female football in the West African country is still underdeveloped albeit an inaugural competition successfully concluded earlier this year.
“I want the FA to continue to empower and encourage us because it’s not easy especially for us living in the provinces.
“Some of us only do it for the passion,” Fullah said.
Football loving fans in the country believe that there are untapped talents in the category. Currently the country’s junior female team is performing well in a CAF competition hosted in Sierra Leone.
