SPORTS Satellite Transmission of European Leagues Undermines Local Football in Sierra Leone Posted by Joe Sawan on Nov 18, 2008, 19:46

Like the industrial revolution that literally transformed the productive capacity of mankind, the information technology revolution has also made the global community a seamless environment.Space technology in particular has made it possible for miniaturization to permeate every facet of society. 

Satellites are now part of the vocabulary of almost the entire global village and with that awareness, information and knowledge are now at the finger tips of most people. Information technology manifests benefits and costs, when applied to football in Sierra Leone, it does appear that the costs associated with broadcasting European football in Sierra Leone has had a negative impact on the continued development and sustainability of league football in the country.

In the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Sierra Leone was known to have a relatively well developed league football starting from the third division to the first division.  Kingtom was the battleground for the teams until Brookfield became available.  East end Lions, Black pool, Regent Olympic, Edwardians, PrinceWaleans, Ports, Prisons, Arsenal and Bama were great teams whose supporters were just as emotionally attached to them as the supporters of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to their teams.  M. Turay, Gbatich Davies, Boye Johnson, Sylvanus Morris, Amadu ‘Okro’ Kamara, Weah Sawyer, Steven Bio, Thomas Gandi Williams, Amadu Kargbo, Lumprey Sesay, Foday Bangura, Alfred Samba, Kama Dumbuya, Patrick Kamara, F.J.A. Pratt, John Keister, Edward Keister, Lamin Joe Sesay were real stars and national heroes.  They were greatly appreciated.

With satellite technology, European football games that were previously only listened to on short wave radio are now brought into the homes of non-Europeans thousands of miles away.  Non-European football stars are drafted to play for teams in Europe for huge sums of money and other benefits.

The decimation of non-Europeans quality football players and the seeming non-challant manner in which non-European leagues are organized, managed and sustained are all factors that have contributed to the lack of interest in non-Europeans football in general and African football in particular.

Sierra Leoneans are more interested in watching a team like Manchester United playing against either Chelsea or Arsenal than supporting the development of local teams like Lions, Black pool, Edwards and Olympic.

As a result, the national football stadium is now generally used for the launching of musical albums, religious crusades, political events and other concerts. Sierra Leone has enough talents in football which, if used properly, will contribute greatly to the re-branding of the country. 

In a democratic dispensation where people are generally free to choose, it will be extremely difficult to prevent football fans from supporting the English Premier league.  However, developing the national league will give patriotic citizens the opportunity to support local talents. Engaging the youth would require the provision of viable positive alternatives that would reap them focused.  It is an option worth pursuing.