The government of Sierra Leone has decided to boost the country’s top-flight male and the female football leagues with 2.5 billion Leones cash injection.
The cash injection is to complete the second phase of the ongoing Sierra Leone Premier League, and for the first time in many years, to revive female football.
“The 2.5 billion Leones is for both the Male and Female Leagues. 1 billion Leones for the completion of the second phase of the Male Premier League and the 1.5 billion Leones is for the start of the Female Premier League in either April or May,” Sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh noted when answering to our questions.
However, a source close to the Premier League board was pleased to hear this development but noted that they are still waiting for the government aid in a bid to wrap up this season.
It’s not the first time the government of Sierra Leone is injecting funds to help revive the national football clubs.
In 2018, after almost five years without football in the country, the first government cash boost to the Premier League Board was Le3.5 billion when East End Lions emerged winners unbeaten that season.
The second phase of the cash boost was during the 2019 -2020 season. A massive Le1, 740,000,000 (One billion seven hundred and forty Million Leones) was splashed on the national men’s league. However, the season was cancelled due to Covid-19.