By: Abu H. Kargbo
The Say No to Drugs/Say No to Violence Campaign team has honoured the late John Keister Sr., fondly known as Pa Keister, with a donation of football equipment to Wusum Stars Football Club for the 2026/27 season.
The donation, made possible through the Borboh Barrie and Ivorian Sillah Foundation, was presented on Friday, October 10, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Kingtom Technical Centre in Freetown.
The package included a full set of 28 Adidas kits, six match balls and three branded anti-drugs armbands to support the club’s participation in the 2026/27 football season.
Momohman Kamara, Chairman of the Say No to Drugs/Say No to Violence Campaign team, explained that this season’s donation was made in honour of the late John Keister Sr., father of Abdul Keister, President of Wusum Stars Football Club, and John Edward Keister, former Head Coach of the Leone Stars and current Technical Director of the SLFA.
He said the late Pa Keister made significant contributions to the development of football in Sierra Leone, having represented the national team before serving in various coaching and administrative roles.
“His legacy is undeniable, and we will continue to honour him,” Chairman Kamara stated.
Receiving the donation, Abdul Keister expressed gratitude to the campaign team, describing the support as an important contribution to the club’s development.
“This support is a significant boost for us, especially since we weren’t expecting it,” he said.
Keister noted that the donation marked the third consecutive season in which Wusum Stars Football Club had received an unexpected package from the anti-drugs and anti-violence campaign team.
He reaffirmed the club’s commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse and violence, noting that both remained major obstacles to the development of football and the wider society in Sierra Leone.
“Drugs have destroyed the futures of promising talents, and violence discourages investment in sports,” Keister stressed.
He further assured the campaign team that Wusum Stars would continue to support the fight against drugs and violence in the country’s top-flight league. He said the club would display the campaign’s banners and use halftime during its home matches to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and violence.
The donated Adidas kits were worn by Wusum Stars during their goalless away encounter against Bai Bureh Warriors in Port Loko. The match served as the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Leone Rock Premier League and ended 0-0.
The late John Keister Sr. served as Head Coach of several football clubs, including East End Lions, Bai Bureh Warriors and Diamond Stars, among others.
He also served as First Vice President of the Sierra Leone Football Association before his death in 2025, following several years of retirement.
His contributions to Sierra Leonean football continue to be remembered through initiatives such as the Say No to Drugs/Say No to Violence Campaign team’s donation to Wusum Stars.