The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Thomas Daddy Brima, together with Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, and National Sports Authority (NSA)’s Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Brima, recently conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction and installation of artificial turf at the Approved School Playing Grounds, East End of Freetown.

The visit demonstrates a proactive move aimed at elevating the country’s football standards through enhanced infrastructure, with the SLFA Executive’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the pitch installation adheres to FIFA standards and in line with the other three pitches at the SLFA Academy, Port Loko Twon Field and Bo Coronation Field also under construction.

Speaking, President Brima emphasised that the construction of these football facilities is a gift to the people of Sierra Leone, emphasising that work is still on-going.

He called on the government, through the Ministry of Sports and NSA, to assist in providing sitting accommodation, toilets, a canteen, storage, and other recreational facilities at the Approved School pitch.

‘We appreciate the support this government has provided over the years, but there is still work to be done. In the next two years, we will upgrade Parade Field, Magburaka Field, Makeni, and Mattru Jong. We are committed to improving football in the country because the sport belongs to the people of Sierra Leone,’ he assured.

The high-profile football delegation was warmly received by local authorities, including the Councillor Abu Bakarr Kamara (ABK), Local Chief Pa Alimamy Conteh, and members of the Approved School Sports Promoters Association.

For her part, Minister Augusta James-Teima commended the SLFA’s Executive for their remarkable efforts in developing football in the country, noting that these projects would not be successful without FIFA’s recognition of the seriousness exhibited by the Football Association, both technically and administratively.

The Minister assured her support for the on-going construction project at the Approved School playing field to ensure fans have access to sitting accommodation.

The on-site visit was attended by SLFA’s Acting General Secretary, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, WAFA Chairman Pastor Philip Buck, WAFA Secretary-General Benjamin Gordon Esq, SLFA Director of Competition Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, and other dignitaries.

Edel Grass Construction Company’s representative Hubertus Marinus van de Wetering said the installation of the floodlights has been fully completed and the rolling out of the turf is making a steady progress, adding that in precisely seven days’ time the Approved School Field will be fully completed and ready to host matches of all standards.