The National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) has put a ban on spectators from venues hosting events. In a bid to comply with the regulations, the Western Area Football Association (WAFA) has in a press release issued on Saturday January 23, 2021 announced to football stakeholders that it has postponed a series of football competitions which it had lined up. WAFA had planned competitions for first and second division clubs,and under-fifteens. The competitions would have commenced on Sunday January 24, 2021.
David Gerald Turner, WAFA’s Head of Media and Communications, said that the Association took the decision in order to save the clubs, most of who depend on gate-takings for their running cost, from the huge economic implications clubs were likely to face playing under such restrictions. He said that WAFA is not receiving any support from the Government of Sierra Leone.
He further said that he hopes the Government of Sierra Leone revisits the ban on spectators in match venues in the near future as soon as practicable, and promised that WAFA hopes to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 protocols as directed by the Government of Sierra Leone, FIFA and CAF.
Turner further said that the Secretariat will officially inform clubs when the leagues will start.
Speaking to the Manager of Orthodox football club, King David Kargbo, he said that they felt bad about the deferment of the competitions because they had prepared very well to compete in second division competition that has been postponed.
He reasoned with WAFA on the need to postpone the competition, as he said, “Because the small-small money coming in will help teams for transportations and match allowances. We are hopeful that government will look in to it and maker necessary change going forward.”
By Desmond Tunde Coker
26/01/2021. ISSUE NO: 7988