By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, has described the partial handover of the China-funded rehabilitation of the National Stadium as a major milestone in the country’s infrastructure development and the enduring partnership between Sierra Leone and China.
Speaking at the partial handover ceremony held on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Freetown, Rev. Dr. Titus-Williams expressed the Government of Sierra Leone’s appreciation to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China for their continued support. He noted that the rehabilitation project is a testament to the longstanding friendship and strong development cooperation between the two nations.
According to the Deputy Minister, the occasion marked more than the transfer of rehabilitated facilities. He said it symbolized progress, mutual trust, and the shared commitment of Sierra Leone and China to advancing sustainable national development.
He commended China for its consistent contributions to Sierra Leone’s development across several key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, and human capital development.
Rev. Dr. Titus-Williams emphasized that the National Stadium is more than a sporting facility, noting that its rehabilitation will enhance youth development, foster national unity, create economic opportunities, and support the implementation of the Government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Big Five Game Changers agenda.
He further stated that, once fully completed, the rehabilitated National Stadium will stand as a lasting symbol of the strong friendship between Sierra Leone and China, as well as their shared vision for the country’s growth and prosperity.
The ceremony concluded with the signing of the partial handover certificate, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the completed facilities, including the practice field, athletes’ hostel, and swimming pool.