By Sheku Sackoh Turay
For over 15 years, The Sama Foundation has been donating football (soccer) materials to disadvantaged communities and schools across the country to promote education, fair play and cultivate role models.
And by all accounts, Sama Foundation jerseys are really cool, they come with numbers and branded crests for the beneficiaries. The club, for years, has been giving away hundreds of footballs, boots and equipment for match officials.
But, all this will not be easy without Texas-based football clubs (privately owned entities of non-division level), who are supporting the Foundation’s dream to help Sierra Leonean kids.
One of these soccer clubs in Texas is Cedar Stars Rush Houston (CSRH).
They have presented Sama Foundation Chief Executive with the latest batch of high quality materials which will be donated to selected beneficiaries (schools and communities).
Luis Imora is a director and one of the coaches at Cedar Rush, and he talks to Sheiku Turay about his sentiments regarding the donation to Sierra Leonean kids.
Can you describe the kind of emotion you felt making this donation?
I felt great satisfaction and happiness making this donation as I know all the football gear and equipment will be put to good use.
Really excited to see the kids happy and enjoying the gears and equipment!
After receiving the request what was your immediate reaction?
Having run into Bundu many times, he sent me information about the foundation. I immediately knew I could contribute and help make a positive impact in your football community. It’s something I really wanted to do and was very excited to do so.
What do you know about Sierra Leone?
I don’t know too much about Sierra Leone besides that it is in West Africa, and also growing up here in the states you obviously have heard about Kei Kamara who has a great goal scoring record in MLS. He’s always been a great professional to follow here in MLS. I look forward to getting to learn more about Sierra Leone.
How much do you follow African football?
I would say quite a bit. African football has really grown and has produced some phenomenal talents. I grew up watching talents like Samuel Eto and mostly follow Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Sofyan Amrabat and more recently really like watching Mohammed Kudus.
African teams always do really well in the World Cup, and what Morocco did last World Cup was amazing and proved that African football should be taken more seriously on the world stage. Very excited to see how the African Cup of Nations turns out this year.
Tell us more about how your soccer club was formed and what inspired the founders?
I am a director and one of the coaches for Cedar Stars Rush Houston. We are one of the smaller clubs out in the Houston area but have grown progressively for the past 4 years. Our club is non- profit and was formed to give kids the opportunity to develop as players move on and hopefully play college soccer, hopefully get an education as well. Inspiration I would say is the desire to make a positive impact on the youth here in the Houston area.
When a kid in Sierra Leone puts on your soccer gifts what do you want him to think about?
I want them to just enjoy the gifts. I am hoping they feel happy and sure they will be very grateful. Just want to see these kids with smiles on their faces and enjoying the beautiful game.