The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has signed agreements with Albert Academy and Bo School to provide the two institutions with artificial football pitches under FIFA’s Arena Project.
The agreements were signed at the Football Secretariat in the presence of representatives from both schools and the Albert Academy Alumni Association.
Representatives included Abubakarr Fofanah, Vice Principal of Albert Academy Junior Secondary School; Abdul Fofanah, Head of Department and senior teacher at the school; Zainab Bangura, President of the Albert Academy Alumni Association; and Rev. Hassan Kainesie, Principal of Bo School.
Speaking at the ceremony, SLFA President Babadi Kamara said the project is aimed at providing schoolchildren with suitable facilities to play football while creating opportunities to identify and develop young talent.
He explained that FIFA will provide the necessary materials and technical experts to oversee the installation of the playing surfaces, while the cost of the local contractor will have to be covered through local funding.
According to Kamara, the SLFA and the two schools will work together to mobilize the funds required to implement the project at the two pilot sites.
He added that signing the agreements was a requirement for FIFA to release the project materials, as the documents confirm that the schools have been informed about the project and are prepared and willing to host it.
Rev. Kainesie and Bangura thanked the SLFA and FIFA for the initiative, saying the new playing surfaces would provide better opportunities for students to develop their football skills and help nurture young talent for the benefit of the nation and communities.