Sierra Leone Football Association begins the FIFA Connect training for Premier League clubs, as the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) gears up to go live on the platform. This six-day training initiative is set to ensure all 18 Premier League clubs are versed in using the FIFA Connect system.
The FIFA Connect online system is designed to help member associations register all their stakeholders, including players, coaches, and referees, regardless of their location. It provides a unique identity code for every individual involved in the football ecosystem, enabling the SLFA to digitally manage competitions and maintain comprehensive records.
The training session, meticulously scheduled to accommodate three clubs per day, commenced with Ports Authority and Old Edwardians FC. The clubs were given access to the system to register all their stakeholders, including players, officials, and technical staff, during the practical session. The participants on that day included Edwin Manneh Peters, Deputy Secretary of Old Edwardians Football Club, and Sheik Ibrahim Kabia, representative of Ports Authority Football Club.
Facilitators Miriam Heroe, TMS Manager, and Sanpha Hassan Kamara, Competitions Officer/Secretary of the Premier League Board (PLB), Sierra Leone Football Association, emphasized the importance of transitioning to online registration. They informed participants that for the 2024/2025 season, all registrations will be conducted online, eliminating all manual processes.
The training also covered the FIFA Clearing House regulation of 2023, which provides guidelines on how clubs can receive training and solidarity compensation. This regulation is crucial for ensuring clubs are adequately compensated for their contributions to player development
As the SLFA prepares for a fully digital registration process, the training marks a significant step towards modernizing football administration in Sierra Leone.