{"id":77442,"date":"2016-02-19T00:18:20","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T00:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sierraexpressmedia.com\/?p=77442"},"modified":"2016-02-19T00:18:20","modified_gmt":"2016-02-19T00:18:20","slug":"slfa-president-isha-johansen-stakeholders-in-the-new-fifa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/?p=77442","title":{"rendered":"SLFA President Isha Johansen & Stakeholders in the \u2018New FIFA\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some 209 members of world football governing body FIFA will converge in Zurich on 26th<\/sup> February 2016 for their Extra-ordinary Congress not only to vote for a new president that will run the affairs of a federation which image has been severely bruised recently due to massive corruption involving its governance structure but, also vote for about nine reforms geared towards restoring back the battered image of FIFA. \u00a0(Photo: FIFA\u00a0\u00a0Acting Dir. Communications and Public Affairs Div. Nicolas Maingot, poses with SWASAL\u2019s Mohamed Konneh)<\/em><\/p>\n

FIFA Acting Director of Communications and Public Affairs Division Nicolas Maingot, during his presentation at the AIPS 79th<\/sup> Global Congress which ended in Doha Qatar on Thursday 11th<\/sup> February 2016 said that, one of the nine proposed reforms that delegates would have to vote on is \u201cgreater recognition, participation and promotion of women in football (not promotion of women football<\/em>) enshrined in the statutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reform states: \u201cGreater recognition and promotion of women in football <\/strong>with a minimum of one female representative elected as a Council member per confederation<\/u>; promotion of women as an explicit statutory objective of FIFA to create a more diverse decision-making environment and culture\u201d.<\/p>\n

Later, answering to questions from Sierra Leones\u2019s representatives in the AIPS Congress-the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) President Frank Cole and Financial Secretary Mohamed Konneh on the current dismal state of the country\u2019s football headed by Isha Johansen who happens to be the only woman in the world to hold that position, he said that he did not know the full details of the gridlock but however stated: \u201cIsha Johansen is one person that has been pushing hard to promote women football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicolas Maingot denied FIFA\u2019s backing of Mrs. Johansen based on gender because according to him, \u201cFIFA is looking at every federation in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Analysts meanwhile are of the view that since the SLFA President Isha Johansen is presently the only female FA President in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the world at large, it is certain she will be elected member of the FIFA Council if this particular reform is accepted by majority of delegates.<\/p>\n

It can be recalled quite recently Johansen was in Kigali Rwanda on the invitation of the CAF President Issa Hayatou, for an Executive Committee meeting.\u00a0 It was also during that period CAF threw its support heavily behind the Asian Soccer Federation President the Bahraini Sheikh Salman, to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter as FIFA President in the February 26th<\/sup> polls.<\/p>\n

The Bahraini Sheikh Salman, staunchly supported Sepp Blatter during his over 16 years reign as FIFA President.<\/p>\n

As far as the situation in Sierra Leone\u2019s football is concern, analysts also posited that it is high time the problem is resolved since another reform that calls for a committee of stakeholders, if voted for, will give them strong representation in the \u2018new FIFA.\u2019<\/p>\n

This particular proposed reform states: \u201cNew Football Stakeholder Committee <\/strong>to ensure greater transparency and inclusion through broader stakeholder representation (including players, clubs and leagues).\u201d<\/p>\n

Below are the nine proposed reforms:<\/p>\n