Investigations have revealed that the seven (7) man committee that was set up to settle the impasse between football stakeholders, as well as to identify the genuine forty seven (47) football stakeholders in the country, did not only present an erroneous and misleading report to President Koroma at State House recently, but they also attempted to paint the Deputy Minister of Sports Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh in very bad light, as if he is the one messing up sports in the country.

It could be recalled that the seven man committee led by its Chairman Dr. Sorsor Conteh together with the Minister of Sports, SLFA President Isha Johansen went to President Koroma to present the findings of the seven man committee.

It emerged during the presentation of the report that the Chairman Dr. Sorsoh Conteh presented an eight page report in which the committee deliberately and maliciously maligned the Deputy Sports Minister as interfering into their work, a claim he failed to substantiate.

To the dismay of other committee members who were genuinely shocked at the malicious reference to the deputy Sports Minister, it was clear to see that the Chairman and others of his ilk were out to viciously and deliberately destroy the good efforts of a minister appointed by President Koroma.

During the presentation, it also emerged that the 8 page report was not only inconclusive, but also lacked details and left out important stakeholders such the Western Area, Anti Drugs FC and Coaches Association. The committee also failed to address the FA in the Eastern Region and Kono District.

It was therefore described by President Koroma as inconclusive and he ordered the committee members to go back and complete their assignment before the March 5 date scheduled for the SLFA elective congress.

It could be recalled that the seven man committee were disbanded in 2015 by the SLFA President and Secretary General for their alleged involvement in shady and unethical practices to mortgage the credibility and independence of the committee. It could also be recalled that the committee was provided the sum of Le200 million to facilitate in the identification of all the 47 football stakeholders in the country.

It is alleged that there is a marriage of convenience between SLFA President Isha Johansen and the Minister of Sports Ahmed Khanou who is now the Stadium Manager are in collusion with Dr. Sorsor Conteh to destroy the name of the hard working Deputy Sports Minister.

It should be noted that the seven man committee spent well over Le250 million in two years to do the job they were appointed to do and yet at the end of it all, they could only present an unfinished, bias and shameful report.

It is against this background that HE President Ernest Bai Koroma has strictly warned the committee to quickly complete their work and ensure that they meet the deadline for the holding of the SLFA Congress; otherwise heads would roll as he has no more time to meet with them.

Concerned Sierra Leoneans, football fans and the general public are calling on the ACC to investigate the FIFA/SLFA seven man committee for misusing public funds and for presenting an erroneous, bias and misleading report.

Stay tuned for more in subsequent editions.

By Ranger