The Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) has presented its proposal to the General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Christopher Kamara, six days after the SLFA, revealed a purse for sports journalism as part of the US$1,300,000 FIFA and CAF COVID-19 relief funds.
Before presenting the SWASAL proposal at the SLFA secretariat, Kingtom, the SWASAL President, Frank Magnus Cole applauded the Football Association for what he described as a kind and historic gesture in offering the Football Academy complex to the Government of Sierra Leone as the National COVID-19 Response Centre secretariat.
He further thanked the SLFA President Madam Isha Johansen and her executive, as well as the football stakeholders for considering the Sports Writers Association as part of the FIFA and CAF COVID-19 relief funds.
He said: “This is a great help to sports journalism and sports journalists in the country,” adding that as an Association, they have done their best and will continue to do their best to ensure there is progress towards the development of sports.
Secretary-General of SWASAL, Sahr Morris Jr also thanked SLFA for its continued relationship with the sports journalists’ body and explained the proposed activities and expected outcome of the said project.
He said: “We planned to use the said fund to train over 40 sports journalists (both members and non-members) nationwide on post-COVID-19 sporting activities as well as pay part fees for ten journalists pursuing a university degree.
“Also, we want to use this opportunity to sensitize and educate journalists and the public on repealed Public Act and new IMC Law. All this is in line with SWASAL’s vision of developing a peaceful and united sporting environment in Sierra Leone.”
The SLFA General Secretary said capacity building is key in an association, adding that the SLFA looks forward to the impact it will have on sports journalists in the country.
He said SWASAL should be seen as a strong part of the SLFA and expresses the FA’s willingness to work with the sports journalists’ body.
The Sierra Leone Football Association on July 30 announced the disbursement of a total of $1,300,000 FIFA and CAF COVID-19 relief funds in which a total of US$ 5,000 was budgeted for sports journalism training.
