Photos: Twitter
Sierra Leone has marked a new dawn for women’s football with the commencement of the country’s first ever national division, prompting the country’s President Julius Maada Bio to describe the launch as “beautiful history”.
The opening match of the new Women’s Premier League took place in the northern city of Makeni on Saturday, with visitors Kahunla Queens of Kenema defeating hosts Mena Queens 1-0.
The game at the Wusum Stadium attracted a large crowd, with President Bio and his wife Fatima among the dignitaries.
“I’m a fan of football and I believe that women should be given space to participate fully in every aspect of life,” Bio told BBC Sport Africa.
“I’m very much determined to see that the women’s game improves and grows in Sierra Leone. I’m very impressed with the potential I see on the field, and with technical support these ladies can do quite a lot.”
The 12-team league marks the return of a women’s top flight league in Sierra Leone for the first time since the early 1990s, when the female game was first launched in the West African country.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/63300082
