Bravo to Sierra Stars
(awoko)
Sierra Stars are the new runners-up in the just concluded U-17 African Youth Cup In Swaziland where they made history to reach the final on their debut.
We are very very proud of them, as they have achieved what we have been trying for so long over the years now. They will be going to the FIFA JVC World Cup in about two months, where we are expecting them to do well again.
We want the public to know that these boys defied all odds by qualifying and even reaching the final. Most people never thought they would have gone that far as we always write off Sierra Leone football because of the low standard of play. But when Sierra Stars defeated Tunisia with style, then most people began to think that they could do it.
Also, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay (‘Awoko’) for the faith and trust he had in these boys and tried to be with them always. If Awoko was not in Swaziland, I wonder what would have happened. I want to tell him to continue his good work, as he will be rewarded one way or another. Even though some members of the press are going all out to destroy him, they would never fail because he is sincere in his work. Once more I say Bravo to you Awoko.
Secondly, my regards to the two tacticians Musa Kallon (Logo) and Abu Sankoh (Magic) who I believe are the best in the business. They have made me proud from the start; I knew they had the knack to deliver under any condition. They have revolutionized football locally and all what the FA can do for them now is to improve their ability by sending them to take part in coaching courses. They deserve national awards for a job well done.
Finally, I want to make it clear to the FA that we should start somewhere to develop our national team. We have finally reached that destination with Sierra Stars. Let these boys form the basis of Leone Stars in the future. Rome was not built in a day. Senegal is now making the headlines. They started the same way, which have taken them to the highest level of football. We too can do the same to get the desired results in the future. Also let these boys now benefit like the national players who eat big and deliver nothing.
I would suggest that the FA considers giving the U-17 boys a chance to demonstrate their soccer prowess against Equatorial Guinea or at least make sure that the bulk of the team is made up of the young lads who seem to know what they want. It will also serve as a warm-up match for their World Cup campaign.
Once again, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sierra Stars for their wonderful performance in the just concluded U-17 African Cup.
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Sierra surprise in Swaziland
(bbc)
Cameroon may have won the Under-17 African championship but the Sierra Stars were the revelation of the competition.
The west Africans were playing in their first Under-17 final and by finishing as runner-up they have qualified for August's World Cup in Finland.
Their 1-0 defeat of former African and world champions Nigeria in the semi-finals was a shock to many observers of the African game.
But experts in Swazliand believe Sierra Leone thoroughly deserve a place in Finland.
"The Sierra Leoneans are capable of causing a surprise,"said Abdulmoneim Hussein, technical head of the Confederation of African Football .
"They are good in defence and midfield it is only their attack which is slow."
Despite winning the African trophy, Cameroon coach Jean Filicien Nkoo said the Sierra Stars are probably the best side that will represent Africa at the World Cup.
"It (the final)was a very big match... it was a match you could not disengage yourself from," Nkoo said.
"The first reason for Sierra Leone's performance was that their coach (Musa Kallon) played for top clubs in Cameroon and knew what to expect from us.
"Secondly, the Sierra Leoneans were physically stronger than us."
Sierra Leone's road to Swaziland began shakily, as they grappled with the perennial problems of logistics. as the country returns to normal life after a bloody nine year civil war.
But just before the war escalated in 1997, Sierra Stars were crowned West African champions.
Credit for that success will go to the late international Ishmael Dyfan, who was one of the pioneers in the restructuring of the country's youth scheme.
Over a decade ago, the Sierra Leone Football Association encouraged clubs to sign up under-16 players but paid little dividends.
The players in the current U-17 side are products of the 'one-sock-and-sandal league' - the players dress up with a sock and sandal on one foot to play football on the streets.
But that did not stop them from becoming the first side from Sierra Leone to participate in a Fifa world championship.
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Disgraceful
(awoko)
Awoko Sports has been investigating the matter concerning the present position of the U-17National team and has found out that the Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports are not happy and it seems like they -the Sports Council and Ministry want to bring shame to Sierra Leone.
The situation at present for the kits is still the same. After Mohamed Kallon had brought down the price from Le 69 million to 35 million Leones, last Friday, the Sports Council had the guts to take along a mere Le5 million Leones to Kallon’s shop begging them that they will pay the remaining balance later. The money was rejected and they pledged to make a payment of 20 million Leones today (Monday).
It has been learnt that two Friday’s ago, the Minister of Finance released government’s undertaking to the U-17 for them to make use of, but up till this moment the Sports Council has not spent a single cent.
The FA has paid 3.2 million Leones for the visas, and even sent one of their staff to Nigeria to see how best he could get the Finnish visa. The Sports Council should have done all of these. They have been meeting the player’s needs when the Sports Council should be in full control. It is really pathetic and disgraceful to note that even the Minister is not in control.
I want to make it clear to all Sierra Leoneans that if U-17 fails to make the trip, we will vent our anger on Sports Council and that we are monitoring all expenses especially the kits as the correct figure is 35 million Leones. After the tournament, we would like to know government’s input because the way they are behaving now seems like they have something up their sleeve.
A fund- raising committee was formed to help raise funds for the team, if the Sports Council cannot meet their demands, please let the fund- raising committee check their accounts at the bank and pay for the kits as the new deadline is fast approaching. The fine for not keeping our date at the tournament will be almost the same cost we are now paying for the kits. So, the earlier the money is paid the better it would be for all of us in Sierra Leone. Somebody should wake up and stop playing with our soccer destiny. Afterall, this nation is bigger than anybody’s ego.
Sierra Leone Commercial Bank golf tourney ends and…Golf Club urged to encourage participation of young people
(awoko)
Golfers of the Freetown Golf Club have been implored to encourage the participation of young people into the sports for increased participation; so that the country can make its mark on the international scene. These were the remarks of the Acting Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Crispin Deigh while addressing participants at the end of the week-long golf tourney as part of the bank’s 30th anniversary, at the Freetown Golf Club, last Saturday. He further told his audience, “As you are probably aware that as part of our corporate social responsibility, our bank is involved in the promotion of sports generally in the country. For the second consecutive year, we are the sponsors of the most popular sports- the football premier league. In recent months we have given financial support to the Lawn Tennis Association and also financed the cost of preparing the cricket grounds at the Kingtom Oval for the visit of the Maryleborne Cricket Club from the United Kingdom.” He went on, “the fact that we have now turned our attention to this somewhat exclusive game, is a testimony of our overall interests in sports.” He then announced that it would be an annual event in the calendar of the Golf Club. The Acting Managing Director stressed further that in the last few days, he has started to appreciate the exercises of walking the course, the swings and swerves, which makes a lot of difference and it is very relaxing. He spoke about some of the hazards of the game- such as: water traps and bunkers to overcome in order to get the ball into the hole, which is the object of the game. This to my mind is also symbolic of the difficult paths through to a successful life and for that matter, a successful bank celebrating a generation of existence, he said. The Acting Managing Director further emphasised that “the beauty of golf is that it’s a great leveller; as you can see the true nature of anybody on a golf course,” adding that, “if you hit a bad shot and start to throw clubs round, you realise you probably won’t want to do business with it.” Crispin Deigh also stressed, “You see their innermost feelings and emotions on the golf course, as it portrays what that persons is all about.” Emerging, as the winner of the professional category was Robert Williams who amassed a total score of 280 points over the four days play, scoring 72,69,67,72 to capture the lion share of the Le2 million leones cash prize that was at stake alongside a trophy. In second place was Brima Conteh whose strokes on the fairway; green and rough, earned him a total score of 281 (65,72,73,71) during the four days of action. Young and promising Paul Kargbo, who seems to be trailing the footprint of his late brother-Bureh Kargbo, was third with a total of 285, followed by Jerry Dumbuya with 288 and Momodu Kargbo with a 291 total score. The caddies’ competition was contested in two categories- Junior and Senior. At stake, was a purse of Le500, 000 for both categories? Capturing that of the junior caddies’ was Daniel Conteh who had a net score of 78 over two days scoring 40,38 scores respectively. In second place was Lamin Bangura with an impressive scorecard, which reads 41,37 net 78 and Abu Kanu also coming third with the same score. That of the senior category was a clean win for Mustapha Kamara with a net score of 36,37 totalling 73. In second place was former professional player, James Brown trailing behind by seven shots, scoring 41 and 39 for a net score of 80. That was the same score for Sulaiman Conteh in third place. The amateur women comprising a field of nine saw Pasty Smith topping the field with a net score of 66 having scored 51,51 for a gross score of 102. Her handicap was 36 Luba Johnson who came second by just a point, after scoring 45, 46. Her gross score was 91 and she had to her credit a handicap of 24. Capturing the third place slot was Heinken Bonnlander with a score of 53, 50 for a gross of 102, and a handicap of 33. Thus bagging a net score of 69. Winning the purse at stake for the Non-Handicap female that attracted a participation of 8 was Rebecca Bendre with 27 points. In both halves of play, she scored 10 and 17 points respectively. Winning the best guest player prize was L.Heckler with a gross of 80 after patting an impressive 40,46 stroke play throughout the tourney. Korean-born D.S.Lee was full of smiles as he won the male amateur tourney that attracted 58 participants. He ended the day with a gross of 78 after having scored doubled 39 on two days. He had a handicap of 16 and ended the contest with a net of 62. A.Yerima was second with a net of 64, after pull and swing to score 45, 44 during match play for a gross of 89. Young and promising K.Khatumal was third with a net score of 68, after having scored 42,43 to earn a gross score of 85. The prize for the best gross player went to former Ambassador- Wilfred Kanu with a score of 75, while that of the nearest to the pin was won by another Korean K.Y.Park. The prize for the longest drive on hole 14 went to R.Gillespie. Winning the boogie prize was the Managing Director of the Union Trust Bank, J.D.Okrafo-Smart for the men, while Maritu Sesay that of the ladies’. At the prize-giving ceremony, the President of the Golf Club, Jacob Kanu lauded the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank for sponsoring the tournament and noted that it was the only institution that did not abandoned the country during those horrifying days.
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Bravo to Sierra Stars
(awoko)
Sierra Stars are the new runners-up in the just concluded U-17 African Youth Cup In Swaziland where they made history to reach the final on their debut.
We are very very proud of them, as they have achieved what we have been trying for so long over the years now. They will be going to the FIFA JVC World Cup in about two months, where we are expecting them to do well again.
We want the public to know that these boys defied all odds by qualifying and even reaching the final. Most people never thought they would have gone that far as we always write off Sierra Leone football because of the low standard of play. But when Sierra Stars defeated Tunisia with style, then most people began to think that they could do it.
Also, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the leader of the delegation, Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay (‘Awoko’) for the faith and trust he had in these boys and tried to be with them always. If Awoko was not in Swaziland, I wonder what would have happened. I want to tell him to continue his good work, as he will be rewarded one way or another. Even though some members of the press are going all out to destroy him, they would never fail because he is sincere in his work. Once more I say Bravo to you Awoko.
Secondly, my regards to the two tacticians Musa Kallon (Logo) and Abu Sankoh (Magic) who I believe are the best in the business. They have made me proud from the start; I knew they had the knack to deliver under any condition. They have revolutionized football locally and all what the FA can do for them now is to improve their ability by sending them to take part in coaching courses. They deserve national awards for a job well done.
Finally, I want to make it clear to the FA that we should start somewhere to develop our national team. We have finally reached that destination with Sierra Stars. Let these boys form the basis of Leone Stars in the future. Rome was not built in a day. Senegal is now making the headlines. They started the same way, which have taken them to the highest level of football. We too can do the same to get the desired results in the future. Also let these boys now benefit like the national players who eat big and deliver nothing.
I would suggest that the FA considers giving the U-17 boys a chance to demonstrate their soccer prowess against Equatorial Guinea or at least make sure that the bulk of the team is made up of the young lads who seem to know what they want. It will also serve as a warm-up match for their World Cup campaign.
Once again, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sierra Stars for their wonderful performance in the just concluded U-17 African Cup.
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