On August 2nd the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)held its highly anticipated elective congress at the Gateway Hotel in Lungi. The event was attended by (57) delegates government officials and members of the press. All gathered to elect new officials to lead the association However. The process was marred by controversy and accusations of constitutional violations.
One of the key incidents that sparked outrage was the unlawful prevention of prominent lawyer and football stakeholder Benjamin Gordon Commonly known as dudidor.who was brutally assaulted and dragged by state security from the hall.
His protest was reportedly met with forcefully dragged on the ground approximately (100) meters away from the venue.dididor is a legal expert and respected figure in Sierra Leone football community from casting his vote. The controversy deepened when the Congress was convened not by the SLFA President– as mandated by Article 37.3 which says the president shall preside over the Congress the SLFA Constitution didn’t give any authority to the Vice president to convened congress.Alie Badara Tarawallie is the Second Vice president who also serves as the Mayor of Port Loko District Council was unlawfully Convened the Congress.The SLFA Ethics Committee had earlier disqualified the incumbent president Thomas Daddy Brima leaving a constitutional vacuum.The first Vice President was absent.futher complicating the legitimacy of the process.
Gordon stood his ground insisting that the SLFA Constitution grants authority to preside over the Congress solely to the President. Adding to the tensions.,former Sierra Leone national team Captain and now head coach of the male national team mohamed kallon who’s also a delegate declined to vote in protest and walked out of the hall. His action highlighted growing discontent among football stakeholders who believe the SLFA has failed to uphold its own statutes.
Despite the controversy the congress preceeded and Babadi Kamara was declared elected as the new SLFA President. However the legitimacy is now challenged by madam Aminata Bangura and other candidates has filed a formal petition with the SLFA Appeals Board through her legal team in addition her international legal experts are reportedly assisting in preparing a case to be filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking clarification on the SLFA Statutes and FIFA Code of Ethics.
However many observers and stakeholders believe the SLFA elective congress was fraught with irregularities and a blatant disregard for the association’s own constitution. As legal proceedings unfold the future of football governance in Sierra Leone remains uncertain.
