Klein Soccer Club in the United States has a new president who is passionate to provide sporting goodies for Sierra Leonean junior players
For over a decade the Sama Foundation has been helping to promote education, fair play and the supply of materials to kids in Sierra Leone in order that they have a conducive environment to play football. The Foundation’s partnership with Klein Soccer Club (KSC) based in Texas in the United States of America (USA), has touched the lives of many kids.
Schools, clubs and associations have benefitted from the annual donations that includes, boots, full kits, officiating materials for referees, field equipment like markers and corner flags, footballs and pumps have regularly been shipped from Texas to Sierra Leone.
Now, it seems there could be more on the way, following the election of a new president of Klein Soccer Club Edward Lindsay.
Lindsay says he is delighted to be president and to continue the relationship between KSC and Sama Foundation.
“KSC will continue donate kits and facilitate the many donations we receive from our club members and players,” Lindsay assures. “As President, my goal is to also foster a greater community outreach for the Sama Foundation by incorporating it as part of our club’s sponsorship package, giving our local businesses an opportunity to also support this great cause,” he adds.
Lindsay has been a member of KSC for seven years where he joined as a volunteer youth coach for his son’s Under-7 team. The Sama Foundation on the otherhand was founded by Bundu Hayes a former Fifa match official – one of the most outstanding in the country for many years and also a prominent sportswriter. Hayes named the Foundation after his mother.
Being part of the Sama Foundation’s course excites Lindsay because it draws him very close to Africa – a continent he is yet to travel to.
“I have never been to Africa, but I hope to visit at least once in my lifetime,” Lindsay stressed.
“I always look forward to the World Cup and cheer for any African team that qualifies. I was sixteen when Cameroon defeated Argentina in the 1990 World Cup. I watched Nigeria almost defeat Italy in the 1994 World Cup.
“I remember many of the African national teams (Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast) playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I recently did get to watch a recorded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier match between Sierra Leone and Liberia (2nd Leg match) where Sierra Leone won 1-0. I am still learning about some of the current African football players – I did not realise that your very own Kei Kamara also plays MLS for the Colorado Rapids.”
The Sama Foundation is quite pleased with the support of Klein, who have really provided enormous assistance to the development of grassroots football in Sierra Leone. Foundation president Hayes says he is grateful to Mr Lindsay for his support and commitment to help his course in providing quality materials, education and fair play to kids. With this strong partnership, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the future of youth football in Sierra Leone.
Texas-based soccer club ready to help Sierra Leone kids
