By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Central One Football Association (COFA) on Thursday, 10th August 2025, successfully organised a one-day seminar at the Loko Baptist Church Conference Hall, Circular Road, Freetown, aimed at equipping community football stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed for this year’s inter-community football competition.
The well-attended seminar brought together representatives from the police, coaches, referees, football administrators, physiotherapists, match officials, and the media, who all shared valuable insights on their different areas of expertise.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of COFA explained the structure of the 2025 competition, stressing that the tournament has been carefully designed to not only provide entertainment but also to nurture grassroots talent, promote discipline among players and fans, and strengthen unity within communities. He revealed that this year’s champion will take home NLe 110,000, while the runner-up will pocket NLe 60,000, a move he said will motivate community teams to give their best performance.
Security was one of the central themes of the seminar. A senior police representative assured participants that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of fans, officials, and players before, during, and after matches. He also cautioned supporters against violence and misconduct, noting that the police will not hesitate to enforce discipline where necessary.
The coaching aspect of the game was addressed by a coach instructor, who emphasised the importance of structured training programmes for community teams. He highlighted the need for coaches to adopt modern coaching methods that build discipline, teamwork, and technical skills among players.
A representative from the Matches Organisation Committee gave a detailed presentation on how matches should be organised, stressing the need for proper planning before kickoff, smooth coordination during matches, and efficient reporting afterwards. He noted that effective match organisation is key to the overall success of the tournament.
On officiating, the referees’ representative urged his colleagues to maintain professionalism and fairness in the field of play. He reminded referees that their decisions could influence not only the outcome of games but also the credibility of the tournament.
The Director of Competitions also took the floor, enlightening participants on football administration. He explained the processes of managing fixtures, coordinating logistics, and ensuring compliance with competition rules and regulations.
Media coverage was another major highlight of the seminar. The President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) underscored the critical role of the press in shaping public perception of the tournament. He urged community teams, officials, and supporters to build cordial relationships with journalists, stressing that clear and timely communication will help avoid misinformation and promote transparency.
The Western Area Football Association (WAFA) representative spoke about the responsibilities of match commissioners, explaining their role in monitoring games, ensuring compliance with rules, and submitting detailed reports. He described match commissioners as the “eyes and ears” of the football authorities.
Rounding up the day’s deliberations, a physiotherapy representative highlighted the importance of physiotherapy in football, noting that injury prevention and player welfare are vital for sustained participation. He encouraged teams to take medical fitness seriously and ensure proper treatment for injured players.
The seminar ended with a call for unity, professionalism, and discipline across all areas of the competition. Participants described the programme as both timely and impactful, noting that it has better prepared them for the challenges of the upcoming 2025 COFA Inter-Community Football Competition
