March 15, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jnr.
Sierra Leonean sports loving fans at home and abroad have joyfully welcomed news of the sacking of controversial Sports Minister Paul Kamara by President Ernest Bai Koroma.
In a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle, President Koroma replaced Paul Kamara with former Secretary General of Sierra Leone Volleyball Association Ahmed Khanou.
Kamara’s dismissal came just days after the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) alleged that his ministry demanded Le124 million for the hosting of two international matches involving the country’s senior national team, Leone Stars, at the National Stadium in Freetown.
Several Sierra Leoneans who welcomed the news of Kamara’s dismissal say it was a wise decision that was long overdue because they consider him (Kamara) as the kingpin in the country’s current football impasse.
One Gbassay Kargbo said Paul Kamara’s appointment as Sports Minister was a mistake. “Paul Kamara’s appointment was a mistake. Despite too late, but it was the right decision by President Koroma,” Kargbo posted in a social media group which also hosts the deputy sports minister, the newly appointed sports minister and other sports personalities.
Alpha Kargbo, a Sierra Leonean based in Belgium, told Concord Sports that the sacking of Paul Kamara would bring lot of changes within the ministry. He said: “I always follow news about our country’s football and the sacked minister was the major problem because of his personal vendetta against people.”
“I welcome the replacement of Paul Kamara. This decision should have come earlier but better late than never. Wishing the new minister success,” Ibrahim Turay, a businessman at Radwon Street said.
Similar sentiment was expressed by a student of Fourah Bay College, Alhassan Idriss Kamara, who said: “Paul Kamara’s substitution should be celebrated.”
Former SLFA Acting General Secretary, Abdul Rahman Swarray, reacted to news of Kamara’s sacking and Khanou’s appointment saying: “This is a new direction in the sports ministry.”
Meanwhile, the newly appointed sports minister, who awaits parliamentary clearance, in reacting to several congratulatory messages said; “Let me express my heartfelt appreciation of your congratulatory messages. With this tremendous support we can only hope for a dramatic change in the fortunes of our beloved industry.
“I honestly look forward to working with everybody, especially you the media. Bottomline is we can only do better with you guys shaping our direction. We have all waited, I know, but now is the TIME!!!!”