FOOTBALL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT MEETING
The Sissala East Municipal Sports Unit in Collaboration with the District Football Association organised a football stakeholders engagement meeting yesterday 26th September, 2026 at the Municipal Assembly Hall. This meeting was in an attempt to curb, hooliganism, match fixing, the deterioration of the Tumu Astro turf, Division within the referees fraternity and other issues that hinders the development of football in the district.
A lot of football enthusiasts were present including Division II and Division III club presidents, Coaches, captains and administrators. Also in attendance is the paramount Chief of Gwollu, the Astro turf chairman Kuoro Ahmed Hor, the two police commanders from Sissala East and Sissala West.
The MP for Sissala East Hon Mohammed Issah Bataglia was in attendance including the MCE Hon Adamu Yakubu. Mr Kanton Gobik, Hon Salifu Naliwie Baluwie were also presented as two of the guests speakers.
Mr. Ayamga Bawa Fatawu who was the first guest speaker tasked to elaborate on some of the issues killing the sports. Amongst key highlights are the fast deteriorating of the Tumu Astro turf, match fixing involved referees, hatred between team managers, ignorance of the football laws, disunity Amongst the referees, negative reportage of the media.
Hon Salifu Naliwie described football as a gold mine and the reason a lot of unscrupulous people are in it. He gave solutions to some of the problems raised. First we need an additional Astro turfs to eased the pressure on the already existing one. He also added that there is the need for Coaches to upgrade in other to lead very well. Furthermore there should be a clear pathway for football enthusiasts.
Mr Kanton Baveru Godfred (Gobik) said suspicion on black magic is one of the problems causing mayhem at our football fields. He added anyone that spills blood aside from facing the law will have to cleanse the land.
Hon Mohammed Issah Bataglia speaking at the event said, putting money in to football is not the problem but it should be of benefit to the people.
If one person is able to make it in football, he or she can build numerous Astro turfs in the Sissala land. He concluded that together with his MCE, they are ever ready to support Sporting event in the Municipal.
The Division III representative raised questions about the number of teams that will be promoted to the Division II and Division II representative pleaded with the MCE and MP to come to their aid by paying the Astro turf users fee and security fees for them.
The DFA Chairman Hon Osman Kajia responded to the Division III clubs to keep calm as the RFA congress is fast approaching and the final decision will be made there. The congress will be on 8th October ahead of the 2026/2027 football season.
By Abdul-Baari Jaasu Zakaria