March 5, 2021
By: Mohamed Kargbo
In the wake of the banning of the National Stadium from hosting international matches, cross section of citizens of Sierra Leone are calling the immediate sacking of Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Minister of Sports. On Wednesday, 3rd March 2021, aggrieved citizens made this petition in a Vox-pop interview conducted A-Z newspaper.
According to Hassan Sankoh, the Minister should be sacked instantaneously because he is not taking football seriously and he has no determination to up the game.
“I have never experienced this situation here in my mother land. This is the first time we are going through this, I see it as global embarrassment and most not be tolerated.” he said.
He further said that, this kind of situation should be taken seriously by everyone because it is of public interest and that the Minister of Sport should be kicked out with no iota of regret.
He lamented that for some of us the place to feel at home is when we watch games especially local ones. And it is the time we always wait for to have the opportunity to see big stars across the world.
The citizens made mention of the significance of football today especially in this part of the country and that Government should try by all possible means to make football a priority.
According to them, hosting matches in their home country is beneficial and raises more awareness about the importance of football to upcoming Sierra Leoneans. But moving these matches to neighboring countries has no relevance and is of no advantage to the country.
“We want to enjoy the game here in Sierra Leone not the other way round,” they said.
“We see football as our best sport. Depriving us of its benefit is not a good idea. So, we are calling on other Sierra Leoneans to join the bandwagon to ensure he exits the office as Minister.”
“This is too much; the Minister of Sport must go,” Hawa Bangura of Syke stressed.