Madam Isha Johansen, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), on Monday October 19th 2020 graced the Big Sister Salone, after she made a surprised visit to the village. Madam Johansen was in the village together with the Leone Stars Head Coach, John Keister.
She lavished praises on the organizer of Big Sister Salone, Zainab Sheriff, for her resilience to cross all hurdles and make her dream a reality.
She went further to explain the rationale behind her visit to the village, which was not only to motivate the ladies but to also talk to them about the role of women in football.
Johansen also explained her long journey into football, starting with her club, FC Johansen, before they were transformed into a Division One team. They later gained promotion and now they are one of the best Premier League clubs in the country.
“Unfortunately there is nothing good to talk about female football in Sierra Leone. FIFA has urged me to try to develop female football in my country and I really regret it as the FA’s President and also Chairperson for Female Football in Africa,” Madam Johansen continued.
“Things are now changing because the Government and the FA are very serious about developing female football in the country; FIFA have also agreed to provide two million U.S. dollars ($2M) to construct a Female Football Academy in the country,” she informed.
In his brief statement, the Leone Stars Head Coach, John Keister, talked on the technical aspect of the game, how and what makes someone to become a good player. He noted that it is not good for players to smoke or drink. He added that women too can be good football administrators like the present FA President in Sierra Leone.