All roads will be leading to the National Stadium tomorrow to witness the opening match of the much talked about premier league of Sierra Leone which is expected to kick off with some excitement and fireworks.
This edition of the Premier League is sponsored by Comium, the National Aids Secretariat, Guinness and three commercial Banks, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa and First International Bank as a consortium for the 2009 season which will be known as the ‘Salone Premier League’.
Apart from the cash sum, Comium have been very instrumental in bringing on board other partners to sponsor the league and they have promised to provide more to the Premier League.
“Comium has succeeded to bring together the best of reliable and dependable companies to associate with the Salone Premier League. In fact, the consortium seeks to add more companies with equal standing to get involved” Hyde explained.
This group of companies would enter into the history books of Sierra Leone to mark the development of football and resonate forever in the minds of the people. Hyde said at a crucial time like this when Sierra Leonean football needs a new face and also involving the youths into meaningful activity, Comium and partners are delighted to put in place the necessary mechanism for the future of the sport.
In the opening match Ports Authority, the defending Champions will play against runner-up Kallon FC in a thrilling and tough encounter for the first Super Cup match ever, which will double as a league game.
The winner in the match in the full-time or extra-time will lift the Super Cup but only the result after 90 minutes will determine the points situation for the Premier League table.
The opening ceremony will start at 7 ‘O’clock in the evening and it is going to be witnessed by sports personalities in the country.
This opening ceremony is going to be a fitting way to herald a new era of league football in the country after many years of difficulties and with the formation of the Premier League Board by the Sierra Leone Football Association.
With this development, football fans are expecting some rapid changes and their expectations are very high after the new sponsorship partners, especially Comium who came on board to work together and change the face of the sport.
The opening weekend will kick-off with a bang with derbies across the country. After the Super Cup on Saturday, the following day the two rivals East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool will engage each other in a match that is expected to be full of fireworks.
Both sides finished in the top five last season. Even though their dominance in the league has slightly diminished especially by Kallon FC and Ports Authority, and to some extent Central Parade, Blackpool and Lions remain the biggest supporting sides and most successful.
On the same day Sunday, Kamboi Eagles will host Diamond Stars in Kenema for the Eastern Region derby. These two teams have represented Sierra Leone in international matches. Many football fans who spoke to Awoko Sports have described the match as teams of equals.
On the same day in Bo all roads will be leading to the Coronation Grounds to witness two of their home teams Bo Rangers and Nepean Stars as both teams will want to carry the day to show supremacy over each other.
In Magburaka Wusum Stars will be the guests of Golden Dragons. The league continues next weekend with Real Republicans who are back from the first division will play against one of the most improved team in Sierra Leone football – Central Parade.
The same day Old Edwardians will play against Mount Aureol Galaxy. The premier league 2009 will be played on a one round basis and it will end on 28 June.
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