Goal Programme - Sierra Leone Football Association - 2001

Football in Sierra Leone was on the cusp of a very promising future when political turmoil and the outbreak of civil war put paid to any bright prospects in 1992. For ten years, the unrest presented a severe obstacle for domestic and international football activities. Now that peace has returned, despite a few difficulties, competitions (two divisions, a women's league and a U-15 championship) have successfully resumed thanks to support from FIFA. Stadiums that have been almost empty for years are now filling up again, and standards of play are constantly improving, primarily due to the return of players who left the nation when the troubles first erupted. The Sierra Leone Football Association's greatest achievement was its U-17 team's qualification for the World Championship 2003 in Finland (based on its performance at the African U-17 Championship in Swaziland). The nation's two best-known active players are Mohamed Kallon (Inter Milan) and Mamdu Bah (currently playing in Belgium).

After construction work was completed on the association's headquarters, financed by the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme, on 29 October 2001 the Goal Bureau approved the construction of a national training and education centre. The facilities will be used primarily for training young players, coaches, referees, administrators and medical personnel from clubs, regional bodies and the association itself. The complex will also be used as a base by national teams at various levels and top clubs in Sierra Leone during preparations for international matches and training camps. «It is difficult to explain just how important the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme and Goal are. They provide proof of FIFA's commitment to promote football all around the world, especially in poorer nations. FIFA really is a global family,» said Hon. Justice M.e. Tolla-Thompson at the ceremony to mark the laying of foundation stone for the complex.