April 7, 2021
By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Premier league set to commence on the 23rd April, 2021 as 18 premier league clubs have agreed to play on a round basis.
On Thursday the 1st April 2021 Sierra Leone Premier League board held a strategic meeting with the 18 Premier league clubs that are to start this year’s Premier league season in the Country and that it should be played within 90 days period.
15 out of the 18 clubs attended the strategic meeting and only three clubs missed out; as the newly Promoted clubs and regions were present.
Below were the issues agreed and timeline of the forthcoming League as 13 key points were discussed:
1. The 1st April 2021- is the opening date for transfer of players and Registration.
2. The 15th April 2021- is the official date of closing transfer of players.
3. The 16th April 2021- Publication of the names of players registered for each clubs
4. From the 16-19 April 2021- are the days for protest against registered players who are not eligible to be registered clubs
5. From 20th -21st April players status committee will adhere to the protest if any.
6. The 22nd April 2021 – publication of the outcome of the protests from the players status Committee.
7. On 23rd is the proposed date for the commencement of 2021 Premier leagues
8. That NACOVERC have agreed to allow 30% of Spectators to watch the premier league matches in all the different venues with adherence of the Covid-19 safety measures.
9. That this year league is targeted to played within 90 days.
10. That all the 18 premier league clubs have consented to play the League
11. That all Premier league players who played in the just concluded Division one clubs who may want to play the premier league with another clubs will only play after the approval of SLFA.
CONTENTION
12. Majority of the clubs did not agreed on the formats of getting a league winner that is to end the league on round Robin basis, where the final top 4 team will play Semi-final and the winner will play semi-final and the winner will play the final to get a League winner.
DEADLOCK
The deadlock was that the team said they preferred the teams with highest points to emerge as champion of the League automatically. This issue was adjourned to be discussed by SLFA.
13. The 18 Premier League clubs asked the League Board (PLB) to know the seed money the Premier league will give to the clubs. But they were assured that something will be done before the League commences, and they were also assured of their fair share.
Below is the 18 participating 2021 Premier League clubs.
1. Anti -Drugs FC
2. Bai Bureh Warriors FC
3. BO Rangers FC
4. Central Parade FC
5. Diamond Stars FC
6. East End Lions FC
7. East End Tigers FC
8. Freetown City Council FC
9. Johansen FC
10. Kamboi Eagles FC
11. Kallon FC
12. Mighty Blackpool
13. Mount Aureole SLIFA
14. Old Edwardian FC
15. Port Authority FC
16. RSLA FC
17. Sierra Leone Police
18. Wusum Stars.