By Janet A. Sesay
Bundu Hayes, former FIFA Referee and president of Sports Writers Association Sierra Leone (SWASAL) has been helping vulnerable Sierra Leoneans by way of donations and gifts.
Mr Hayes, a US resident, is Chief Executive Officer, Sama Foundation set up in 2016 as a platform through which he can give back to his country.
Sama Foundation is known for its support to sports in the country and many schools, communities, football clubs, organisations and individuals have benefited from the foundation.
Few days back, he donated sports equipment and food items to vulnerable people in different communities in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown for which he received commendation from the beneficiaries. The spree of donations never stopped there.
Last Thursday 29th December 2023, the Sama Foundation offered sports items to the Pratt Invaders Club of Pratt Lane in Freetown. This donation was also done at the Parade field at Banjamin Lane in Freetown.
During the donation, Abubakarr Barrie captain of the club thanked the Sama Foundation for the donation and promised to make good use of the gifts.
He said “this will motivate them to train more and pursue their football career.” He went on to state that football was a game in which players needed motivation.
He said their team was founded in 2011 by the elders of the Pratt Lane community stressing that the gift is a big boost. Football, he went on, was a big barrier or a medium of change for youth and when there was an opportunity it motivated them.
“The youth takes part in drug abuse because they do not have motivation from people about their careers,” he stressed adding that they are proud to have Rafel Koroma as a role model who has represented Leone Stars at the national level.
He encouraged his fellow youth to pursue their careers in football as hope was never lost. He said even if they were addicted to drugs, they still had a chance as they could still change for the better at any time.
He said a lot of youth out there had talents and they could maximize it through their own effort and would surely reach the apex. He further noted that most of them are still learning as education went side by side with football.