September 15, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
President Julius Maada Bio has launched the Leone Star AFCON Supporters Tour to Cameroon at the Bintumani Hotel Aberdeen, Freetown on the 14th September 2021.
The President said his government will continue to celebrate Leone Stars achievement and that nothing will derail his him to throw his support behind the team.
He said his administration has spread wings to other sporting disciplines by rendering unflinching support to basketball, volley ball, cricket and athletics etc.
“Football brings us together, I enjoy watching Football, I enjoy every bit of it, let the day of fighting and backbiting in football be the thing of the past,” President Bio revealed.
He urged the Leone stars to aim higher in this year’s competition by bringing the AFCON trophy home, and that football can bring unity to a country and Sierra Leone has been enjoying such privilege.
President Bio said the players need moral supports to boost them up, as well as the coaching staff.
He concludes by calling on all other private institutions to rally around the Leone Stars team and the supporters, noting that the more the supports acquire help from the private sector the happier the fans and the players will be in Cameroon.
The President however, launched the Leone the Stars AFCON Supporters tour in Cameroon by taking a shot as a symbol of anticipation of the many goals to be scored by the Leone Stars team.
Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh expressed appreciation to be part of the gathering where the president has created a platform and highlighted that Sierra Leone is now an enviable and untied force to reckon with in the African football family.
“Football has not only resuscitated life into the association, but has created job opportunities for footballers and administrators”, Mr Nyelenkeh disclosed.
He said the launch is welcoming news and is appreciated at this crucial time.
The Minister of sports said every team facing the AFCON should have a strong supporter’s base and Sierra Leone is gearing to achieve such a feat.
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Thomas Daddy Brima said that sport brings unity and developments to a country with positive impact on the youths.
He reiterated that during his campaign he promised the football family he was going to qualify the Leone Stars teams to AFCON, which has come to reality. He also disclosed that football needs to be taken to the schools which his administration has done by writing letters to the Ministry of Education, as according to him football cannot go without education.
First Lady, Fatima Bio said the occasion is unique and that Sierra Leone is known for two major religions Muslim-Christian but when it comes to football we are all the same because the sport brings people together.
She also mentioned that football knows no political boundaries and that football is growing under the leadership of President Bio.
She encouraged Sierra Leoneans to abide by all laws when traveling to another foreign land because there are different laws and interpretations, and that supporters and football loving fans must trek cautiously.
The program was graced by many supporting personalities both from the private and public sector and also the veteran players of the 1994 and 1996 Leone Stars squad.