By Alpha Barrie

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Youth Football Coordinator Alimamy Kuraish Conteh is in Turkey to motivate the Star Sport Academy U-15 players in the ongoing Antalya Junior World Cup which turned out to be a real football festival for all participants.

Football academies from all over the world and, of course, giants from Turkey took part in the ingoing football tournament in Antalya.

Children and parents combined sports with relaxation because it was enough to walk a few metres from the room and they were already on the fields. Matches were held before and after lunch, so the participants could have enough time to rest.

A five-star hotel by the sea in Antalya, all-inclusive conditions, a professional organisation, well-maintained football fields, rivals from different countries, and, most importantly, an atmosphere of friendship are the components of a successful football tournament.

Sierra Leone is represented by the well-structured football academy, Star Sport Academy U-15 players who are on international scouting programme.

According to the management of Star Sport Academy, they thought it fit to invite Alimamy Kuraish Conteh to witness the tournament and motivate the lads because of his undisputed experience in dealing with youth football development, noting the importance of how he has transformed our youth system in the country.

Alimamy Kuraish Conteh, the SLFA Youth Football Coordinator, lauded the extraordinary performance of the boys, scoring over 40 goals in the tournament.

‘These young players have demonstrated their exemplary skills in Turkey by playing against top European and South American clubs. We are hopeful that Antalyaspor FC among many other clubs will scout some of these talented boys for their academies,’ he said.

He added: ‘I am very elated for the work done so far by the management of Star Sport Academy and there is hope for our youth football development in our country. I am confident of the efforts youth football clubs like Star Sport, HADA FC, FC Kallon among others are putting to market their players internationally. This shows that football means business amid the challenges we face,’ the Youth Football Coordinator affirmed.

Meanwhile, Star Sport FC will return home in a few weeks’ time to prepare for the Gothia Youth Cup in Sweden from the 14th-20th July, 2024.