By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
The CEO of Luawa FC, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, has penned an emotional letter to fans following the Sierra Leone Football Association’s (SLFA) decision to ban the team from using their home ground in Kailahun.
The ban stems from a new rule requiring all Premier League matches to be played on artificial turfs. Abdulai argues this decision saying “it is unfair”, especially considering a prior agreement with the league for a gradual implementation.
His letter details the team’s shock at receiving a last-minute email forcing them to find an alternate venue at an artificial turf, despite previously approved home games in Kailahun have been annopunced. The abrupt cancellation of a match against Old Edwardians further fueled outrage, leaving fans and management in the dark on the reasoning for this.
Abdulai Esq. criticizes what others refer to as “opaque distribution” of FIFA-provided artificial turfs, which favoured the capital Freetown and other major cities, leaving Kailahun without the resources to comply with the new rule. He emphasizes the importance of allowing teams to play on existing natural fields, especially when those fields have a history of hosting matches.
The decision, he said, deprives Kailahun residents of the opportunity to enjoy Premier League matches and unfairly hinders the development of football in the region. He further assures his commitment to bringing the team to Kailahun to improve the district and establish a football academy for the community’s youth.
He was calling for unity among fans and demands transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities for all regions to participate in football. Abdulai urges fans to remain steadfast and fight for their right to play on their home turf, emphasizing the importance of integrity and fairness in football governance.
He urges fans to use this setback as a rallying cry for justice and equality, while he expresses strong confidence that Luawa FC will one day return to playing in front of their home fans in Kailahun.