SLFA, FIFA train 44 grassroots Coaches
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) in collaboration with the world football governing body (FIFA) has commenced an intensive five-day training at the Football Academy in Kingtom for grassroots football coaches in the country. This is the first time such a training is taking place in the country.
The 44 participants were randomly selected based on the requirement set out by the FIFA Course Instructor, Yvon Avry, assisted by the Technical Director- John Jebboh Sherrington, Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports- Victor Hastings-Spaine, John Keister, Retired Referees Bull and Freeman among others.
Declaring the workshop open, the SLFA President, Madam Isha Johansen said the aim of the Grassroots programme is to ensure children have fun playing football noting that this is best achieved through Grassroots events encompassing training sessions which bring the game closer to children.
« You are here today to build the foundation of what would bring glory to this country’s football in the next couple of years. It is my dream to ensure that we identify talents at a tender age and nurture them for future national assignments. This will be the legacy of my ‘DAWN OF A NEW ERA’, » she said.
In his introductory statement, Yvon Avry said since he arrived in Freetown in mid January this year, he has discovered that Sierra Leone is very passionate about football noting that the country is one of the most passionate in Africa.
“After the community programme managed by the two guys from Arsenal, we started a new community programme with the aim of promoting the development of grassroots; launch a national contest to identify the best players and encourage all the players and coaches to develop the individual skills of the kids. After this course, we’ll continue this programme and I’m planning to develop an academy of young players in this FA Secretariat. I’ll present this project to FIFA this weekend,” he announced.
Mr Avry said they’ll try to develop the practice in the schools expressing gratification that Physical & Health Education teachers are among the participants. He disclosed that FIFA and SLFA are ready to assist the schools in Sierra Leone and the students to discover the beautiful and popular game of football. He admonished participants to encourage the girls also by including them in their teams.
“As participants and educators, you’ve a huge responsibility to encourage also the girls to participate and to include them in your sessions and teams. FIFA cannot do everything for Sierra Leone, and one of FIFA’s motto is “if you do, FIFA does”. That means that the federation, the government and eventually some stakeholders must take responsibility to develop the sport and the practice,” he said.
Concluding, Mr Avry encouraged participants to be a participative actor during the course and a role model for the kids during their practice and the festival on the last day.
“For this festival, we’ll try to have 200 kids participating and we’ll try to have them coming from different communities and schools, boys as well as girls,” he announced.
By Abubakarr Kamara
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