By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
Over the weekend, Sierra Leone’s first ever Youth Football Development League for U12 and U14 Boys ended momentously in the diamond rich district of Kono in the Eastern province.
Hundreds of parents, young boys and girls as well as relatives and loved ones of the lads who took part in the tournament among other key stakeholders in the Kono District and Sport enthusiasts nationwide turned out for the grand closing ceremony that was hosted at the Kono community field.
On the day the four finalists namely Sierra Rangers, Golden Soccer Academy, City Strikers and Golden Soccer Football Clubs of both U12 and U14 categories entertained the record number of spectators with some mind-blowing soccer exhibition.
In the first encounter of the two finals played on the day, Golden Soccer Academy came from behind through Patrick D. Conteh’s late goal to batter the dreams of their Sierra Rangers opponent after beating them 4-2 on post game penalties shootouts to emerge champions of the U12 category while City Striker’s Saa Mambu lone goal netted in the last half an hour mark against Golden Soccer Football club earned them a well deserved U14 championship title.
The twin tournaments organized by the Sport for Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Kono District Football Association-(KDFA) on the theme: “Creating better people through the use Education and Sport,” offered maiden opportunity to 351 boys across some 20 participating teams in the U12 and 14 categories.
Apart from the Bronze, Silver and Gold trophies that were awarded to the respective 3rd place, runners up and winning teams of both categories, customized medals were gifted to each player of all the participating teams in the U12 and U14 levels, and all members of the tournaments local organizing committee as well as three pressmen were also honored with customized medals for their outstanding contributions which led to a first of its kind organization of the twin Youth development leagues.
Some attendees, players, coaches, key stakeholders in Kono among other sport enthusiasts nationwide that grace the grand finals on Sunday while speaking to AWE-Media.SL in Kono hailed the management of the Sport for Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone and K.D.F.A for setting the pace nationwide regarding Youth Football Development.
In respond, Sport for Empowerment Sierra Leone’s founder Desmond Pain told Awoko on behalf of the foundation “We feel fulfilled to see young boys, their peers, coaches and parents in Kono District smiling and rejoicing after the leagues and the feedbacks we’ve so far received are positive and resonates well with our vision to ensure we help to develop the next generation of soccer stars in Sierra Leone.”
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