By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has successfully concluded the 2026 FIFA Member Association (MA) Course for Elite Referees in Bo City after five days of intensive physical and technical training aimed at enhancing the standard of refereeing in the country.
The course was facilitated by FIFA Refereeing Instructors Ahmed Alie Mohamed from Somalia and Bento Thomas from Mozambique, who praised the participants for their discipline, commitment, and impressive performance throughout the programme. They encouraged the referees to continue working hard and apply the knowledge gained to improve their performance both nationally and internationally.
Representing SLFA President Babadi Kamara and the Executive Committee, Southern Region Football Association Chairman Joseph Benedict Mogba thanked FIFA and the instructors for delivering another impactful course. He reaffirmed the SLFA’s commitment to referee development, noting that the training will better prepare Sierra Leonean referees for domestic and international assignments. He also urged the participants to uphold integrity, fairness, and professionalism, emphasizing that their conduct on and off the field reflects the image of Sierra Leone football.
SLFA Referees Committee Chairman Patrick Muana congratulated the referees on successfully completing the course and encouraged them to implement everything they had learned. He reminded them that consistency, discipline, continuous learning, and respect for the Laws of the Game are essential to achieving success and earning higher-level appointments.
The course was supported by the SLFA’s local instructors, including Referees Manager Sanusie Rashid, Referees Committee Vice Chairman Daudu Williams, Alpha Rahim, Mohamed Bristo Kamara, and Zainab Wilson, whose contributions ensured the successful delivery of the programme.
The successful conclusion of the course reaffirms the SLFA’s commitment to developing competent referees capable of officiating with confidence and professionalism at both the national and international levels.