progresses, there are still huge challenges that need to be sorted out. Venues in the provinces are in a very deplorable state; the pitches at Magburuka and Kono have been the subject of much complains by teams travelling up provinces, others have also complained about an apparent lack of security in the provinces. Some have called for the Board to set up a standard of approval for all Premier League venues across the country. Also, at a time when there have been several controversies surrounding referee decisions a number of teams have questioned the qualifications and competence of match officials, however SLFA recently announced that it will use some of the money received from CAF for TV Rights to train referees nationwide.
Critics have also highlighted the dishonourable status of the presidential stands which has been accessed by many supporters free of charge who confront each other and sometimes rain motherly invectives at each other in a place that is suppose to be reserved for respectful people. Some fear that this will drive away some dignitaries who will stay away from matches as a result of these shameful activities.
The thorniest issue the Premier League Board has to deal with is the many disputes that has arisen for the past few seasons about player registration, there are frequent complains and official protests lodged from different teams about players whom they alleged were their players but now playing for other teams. Critics have accused the Appeals Committee as too slow in taking actions about complaints, nonetheless, the problems is that the FA has not set clear rules and penalties surrounding registrations of players and until that is done, the problem will hardly be solved.
But for now it is business as usual as Sierra Leone tries desperately to create a sense of normalcy in local football, the good news also is that most former players are returning and taking up coaching and technical advisory roles in the various teams, former Leone Stars captain Abubakarr âTostaoâ, Ahmed Kanu, and Agina are among the cadre of former stars that are coaching Ports Authority, FC Kallon and EE Lions respectively. The hope is that increasing press coverage and huge crowds will lure businesses to put more money in the Premier League, if that money comes in then there is no doubt that Sierra Leone football will take a slow but positive step forward.
Article from articlesbase.com
