As the CAF Coaching Course for inmates interrupted, Isha Johansen accepts awards on behalf of FIFA Secretary and Ex-Liberian President

Freetown | 28th November 2023 | Vertex Media

It’s been a busy two-week of groundbreaking engagements for FIFA and CAF Executive Committee Member, Madam Isha Johansen. From inspecting a proposed site for the Mano River Union football academy to the CAF D Licence Coaching Course for female inmates at the Correctional Centre in Freetown.

The trailblazer in global football governance, Johansen, has just honoured an invitation to the African Sports Awards in Cairo, Egypt, where she accepted the awards of FIFA Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura and the former Liberian President George Opong Weah.

*Fifa Council/CAF Executive Committee Member **Isha Johansen** and CAF Secretary General **Veron Omba Mosengo** in Cairo Egypt at the Association of African Sports Confederation.*

Minister of Youth and Sports Rep. of Egypt: **His Excellency Ashraf Sobhy.**

The award ceremony was held in celebration of excellence in sports across the African continent, where the changemakers in sports gathered over the weekend. The highly esteemed Isha Johansen was graciously asked to accept the UCSA African Sports Award as the Best Female Sports Personality in Africa on behalf of FIFA’s Fatma Samoura, as well as receiving the Outstanding All Time Performance Award on behalf of former Liberian President, George Weah.

Johansen accepting awards for both **Fatma Samoura** and **George Weah**

This incredible honour is a testament of Madam Johansen’s place in the world of sports, especially football, and her growing influence in the leadership of the game.

On Thursday, 23rd November 2023, a CAF D Licence Coaching Course was commissioned at the Freetown Correctional Centre for female inmates under the Football For Reform program. The ceremony was held in the presence of FIFA and CAF Executive Committee Member Isha Johansen, CAF Head of Women’s Football Meskerem Tadesse Goshime, CAF Elite Women’s Instructor Majidah Nantanda, and representatives from the Sierra Leone Football Association and the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.

*FIFA and CAF Executive Committee Member, **Isha Johansen** speaking at the Opening Ceremony*

*CAF Head of Women’s Football, **Meskerem Tadesse Goshime** at the Freetown Correctional Centre*

CAF Elite Women’s Instructor, **Majidah Nantanda**

**Jodie Marian Reid Seton**, 3rd Vice President Liberia Football Association

The Football For Reform program is an empowerment initiative by Isha Johansen in collaboration with Fatma Samoura. With support from FIFA and CAF, the duo funded the construction of a skills training workshop at the Centre.

***Female inmates in Day 2 of the CAF D Licence Coaching Course***

However, following the unfortunate security situation in Freetown over the weekend, the 7 days first-ever CAF D Licence Coaching Course for female inmates in the world, has been abruptly brought to a halt, as the CAF Instructors/officials were immediately evacuated for safety, amidst the inmates fleeing their custody centres for safety too.

This unfortunate incident has deprived Sierra Leone of the opportunity to benefit from this empowerment initiative. An incident that has left the founder of Football for Reform Isha Johansen heartbroken and disappointed, stating that for the first time, she believed the young women actually “had a genuine opportunity to be rehabilitated and empowered.”

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura