Isha Johansen facts for kids

Isha Tejan-Cole Johansen, born on December 25, 1965, is a well-known person from Sierra Leone. She is a successful businesswoman and used to be the president of the Sierra Leone Football Association. This made her one of the very few women globally to lead a country's football association. She also owns and leads her own football club, F.C. Johansen.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Isha Johansen was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Her family, the Tejan-Coles, had a strong connection to football. Her father helped start a football club called East End Lions F.C. in Freetown.

From a young age, Isha loved football. Her dad often took her to watch matches. She also played football with her brothers and their friends. She went to school in Freetown and later attended a boarding school in England.

Her Journey in Football

Starting F.C. Johansen

In 2004, Isha Johansen created her own football club, F.C. Johansen. She started the club to help children whose lives were affected by the recent Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002). The club aimed to give them guidance and new chances.

F.C. Johansen began playing in Division One in 2011. The very next year, they moved up to the Premier League.

Leading the Sierra Leone Football Association

On August 3, 2013, Isha Johansen was chosen as the president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). She was the only candidate left after others were not allowed to run.

As president, she started important programs. One was called Powerplay. This program encouraged women and girls to play football. It also aimed to help them become stronger and more confident. This effort had support from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.

She also began an annual event in 2009. It was called the African International Youth Tournament. This tournament gave young players a chance to compete.

In September 2016, there were questions about the SLFA's financial reports. Isha Johansen and other leaders were asked to provide information. FIFA later stated that they had no reason to believe funds provided to the SLFA were misused.

After eight years as president, Isha Johansen decided not to run for re-election in June 2021. She explained that her new role at the FIFA Council would require her to travel globally. She wanted to focus on being a worldwide ambassador for football. Thomas Daddy Brima became the new SLFA president on June 5, 2021.

Role in African Football (CAF)

From 2017 to 2021, Johansen was a member of the executive committee for the Confederation of African Football (CAF). She also led the committee that organized women's football. In May 2021, she continued as an executive committee member. She became the vice-president of the women organizing committee. This allowed her to keep working on improving women's football in Africa.

Joining the FIFA Council

On March 12, 2021, Isha Johansen made history. She was elected to the FIFA Council. This is a very important group that helps lead global football. She won against Lydia Nsekera, who had held the position since 2013.

This election made Isha Johansen the first woman from West Africa to join the FIFA Council. She was also the first person from Sierra Leone to be part of this 37-person team.

Other Important Work

In 1993, Isha Johansen became the first woman publisher in Sierra Leone. She created Rapture Magazine, which was an entertainment publication. She also wrote for Ovation magazine.

She founded the Pink Charity Fund in 2006. This fund helps fight breast cancer. She also started the Women of Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate successful women.

Personal Life

Isha Johansen grew up in a religious Muslim family. She is married to Arne Birger Johansen. He is the Consul for Norway in Sierra Leone.