By Thaimu T Kamara
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has strengthened its international football partnerships after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to support football development and capacity building in Sierra Leone.
The agreement was signed on 17 August 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, by SLFA President Babadi Kamara and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa.
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for the development of players, coaches, referees and football administrators while strengthening cooperation between the two football federations.
Under the agreement, the two associations will collaborate in several key areas, including technical and administrative capacity building, referee development, youth football and the organisation of football workshops.
The partnership will also facilitate friendly matches involving Sierra Leone’s men’s and women’s national teams, providing opportunities for the teams to gain international exposure and strengthen their competitive preparations.
One of the major components of the agreement is support for football infrastructure development in Sierra Leone.
The partnership includes plans to support the development of a technical training ground in a vulnerable community, with the aim of expanding grassroots football opportunities and providing young players with better facilities to develop their skills.
The infrastructure component is expected to contribute to the SLFA’s efforts to broaden access to football, particularly among young people in communities where sporting facilities remain limited.
The agreement will also provide opportunities for SLFA personnel to undertake training and observation programmes in Morocco.
Such exchanges are expected to expose Sierra Leonean football officials and technical personnel to Morocco’s football development structures, administrative systems and technical practices, potentially contributing to improved standards within the local game.
Referee development is another key area covered by the partnership. Through training and technical exchanges, Sierra Leonean match officials are expected to benefit from additional knowledge and experience that could strengthen the country’s refereeing system.
The two federations will also work together on youth football development, an area considered critical to the long-term growth of the sport in Sierra Leone.
The partnership is expected to provide opportunities for young players and technical personnel to benefit from international expertise while encouraging the development of a stronger football pathway from grassroots level to the national teams.
Another important element of the agreement is access to specialised sports injury hospital services in Morocco.
The arrangement is intended to strengthen support for players and football personnel requiring specialised medical attention and sports injury management.
The SLFA said the agreement forms part of its broader efforts to build strategic international partnerships and strengthen football development at all levels.
Morocco has in recent years continued to invest heavily in football development, infrastructure, technical education and youth programmes, making the partnership potentially valuable to Sierra Leone as the country seeks to improve its football structures.
The signing of the MOU also provides an opportunity for greater institutional cooperation between the two football associations beyond national team competitions.
Through technical exchanges, workshops and training opportunities, the partnership could contribute to improving the professional capacity of football administrators and technical staff in Sierra Leone.
The inclusion of both men’s and women’s football in the agreement is also expected to support the continued development of the women’s game and create opportunities for greater international exposure.
The partnership comes as the SLFA continues to pursue initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s football system, from grassroots development and youth football to technical capacity and national team performance.
With the formal agreement now in place, both federations are expected to work towards implementing the identified areas of cooperation.
The SLFA has described the partnership as an important step in its drive to establish stronger international relationships and create sustainable opportunities for the development of football in Sierra Leone.
The agreement with the FRMF is expected to complement ongoing domestic efforts and provide Sierra Leonean football stakeholders with access to additional expertise, training, infrastructure support and international opportunities.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 26th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
