By Janet A. Sesay
The Sama Foundation headed by veteran Journalist and Football Referee, Bundu Hayes has paid a courtesy call on former Leone Stars Striker, Abu Kanu alias Gbanaloko as a show of gratitude and recognition of his committed service to Sierra Leone in the field of football.
Gbanaloko in his days of play for the Senior Men’s National Football Team, Leone Stars, was a household name because of his prowess and dribbling skills on the pitch.
The visit on Thursday, 14th August, 2025 at his residence at Mountain Cut in Freetown on behalf of the Foundation was led by Amadu Rappel, also a veteran footballer and former Captain of Leone Stars, Bundu Seray Thomas and other officials of the Foundation.
Gbanaloko was presented with a cash donation of USD 50 (Fifty United States Dollars) and a 50kilogram bag of rice as a token from the Chief Executive Officer, Bundu Hayes in recognition of his sacrifice for Sierra Leone.
Amadu Rappel Kamara, leader of the visiting entourage recalled the playing days of Gbanaloko and the several goals he scored for the Leone Stars. He also recalled some of the encounters with Mr. Bundu Hayes as referee on the pitch, noting that in those their times of play, football was not as technical as it is today as it was then played with physic and tact.
“This token is an assurance from the Sama Foundation that you are recognized and you are considered as an integral component to the building blocks of football in the country,” Mr. Rappel stated, adding that the gesture will be a continuous occurrence at least for every month.
Bundu Seray Thomas assured the former Striker that his health condition is also under serious consideration by the Sama Foundation, disclosing that treatment of his condition will begin in earnest starting with a comprehensive diagnosis all of which would be taken care of by the Foundation, Mr. Thomas assured.
Receiving the gift and in his response, Abu Gbanaloko Kanu appreciated the visit and the gift from Mr. Bundu Hayes through the Sama Foundation, describing it as “a huge surprise”. He expressed delight over the visit noting that the gift and the good tidings he has received from the Foundation “have restored my hope and assurance over my health predicament.”
Gbanaloko noted that he has been grappling with his health condition for a long time now, with no support from anyone especially from the country’s football fraternity. “Nobody seems to care about my state of being in spite of the huge sacrifices I made as contribution to the development of football, a sport that is love by Sierra Leoneans and which they participated in with skillful entertainment,” he lamented.
He expressed hope to continue active participation in the development of the game when he shall regain his full health. “I have gone to many places and to many people in search of assistance to seek remedy for the restoration of my health, but sadly, no one, no institution, no organization has come to my aid,” he stated, noting that the neglect he has faced over the years have not dampened his faith in God for a remedy. He pointed out that the statement of support he has received from the Sama Foundation is a testament of that faith and belief in the intervention of God towards his predicament.
He thanked the Chief Executive Officer of the Sama Foundation, Bundu Hayes and the Foundation members for thinking about him and for the visit which has necessitated that to hear firsthand from him.
The Sama Foundation is a non-profit organization with a stated mission to support and empower youths and local communities in Sierra Leone.
The Foundation is based in America but has extended operations and membership to Sierra Leone for several years now.
Since its inception in Sierra Leone, the Sama Foundation has done several donations to several entities including football clubs, hospitals, orphanages and vulnerable communities in Freetown and in the provinces.