Freetown, Sierra Leone – A pioneering initiative is transforming the lives of female inmates in Sierra Leone by training them as football coaches, equipping them with the skills and certification needed to rebuild their futures.

The eight-day Football for Reform programme, held at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre, provided 26 inmates and five police officers with a Confederation of African Football (CAF) D Licence – an entry-level coaching qualification. The course, aimed at promoting rehabilitation through sport, marks a significant step in using football as a tool for social change.

“The course was great – more than great. I am so proud,” said one participant. “With this coaching certificate, I want to be able to get a job when I leave here.”

Once released, the trained inmates will be able to coach at the grassroots level, opening up new employment opportunities and helping reintegrate them into society.

The programme, which has already been implemented in prisons in Ghana and Liberia, is receiving praise from across the continent and plans are underway to expand it further. Among its supporters is former Uganda international Majidah Nantanda.

“Football is so much more than just 90 minutes on the pitch,” said Isha Johansen, former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association. “It’s about using football for positive social change – and this project is a perfect example.”

The initiative stands as a hopeful sign of reform, offering second chances and turning prison time into an opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.

Source: BBC