In a recent meeting held at the Parade grounds in central Freetown with community stakeholders, the Chairman of Central One Football Association (COFA), Pa Sammah Sesay, assured representatives from the competing communities that they will provide adequate security for the forthcoming ‘Super Inter-Community’ football competition.
The Chairman disclosed that the competition will officially kick-off next month, but the official date and time for the opening ceremony will be later communicated to the communities.
Chairman Sammah told the stakeholders that the Association has great concern for the safety of players, referees and fans.
They’ve met with security personnel from the Sierra Leone Police and RSLAF to ensure they take full control of the pitch and the perimeter of the venue. Additional personnel will be given to protect the players, team officials, referees and well-meaning fans throughout the matches.
“We’ve put the necessary measures in place to ensure the Super-Inter Community football competition ends successfully. We are pleading with fans of various communities to exercise sportsmanlike behaviour in the course of the matches and accept the outcome of the results and later complain through the due process instead of throwing stones and bottles against themselves,” he told community representatives.
He further articulated that the stakeholders should strongly warn their players, coaches and fans to refrain from any fierce act that will put the game into disrepute.
The chairman stated that if any player, coach or fan involve in such act after thorough investigation, if found guilty, he/she will face robust disciplinary action from the committee charged with the responsibility.
By Bernard Tury
Wednesday January 25, 2017