Football administrators, players, journalists as well as enthusiasts in his native country Sierra Leone have been paying tribute to deceased legendary football administrator Alhaji Unisa ‘Awoko’ Alim Sesay.
The former East End Lions legend died in Freetown on Tuesday after battling illness, and once again death has struck a brutal blow against the country’s football fraternity.
The Veteran football administrator Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay was the Chairman Steering Committee Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) before his death.
Atto Mensah, Ghanaian-born Sierra Leonean, who made his international debut in Leone Stars 2-0 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Freetown during 1988 Nations Cup qualifiers, said the news of the great Alhaji Sesay’s demise comes as a huge shock to many Sierra Leoneans and says the country’s social media platforms has been flooding with tributes for the man he describes as a ‘great administrator with a great personality’.
Presenter and Commentator Abu Bakarr Kanu said, ‘It’s a huge shock for us in football. Alhaji will never be forgotten as he is part of the country’s soccer history.’
Deputy Minister of Sports, Al-Sankoh told footballsierraleone.net, ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends of the Late Alhaji Unisa Alim Sesay, the memories of the late icon will never die, a very friendly character, a true patriot and an iconic sports administrator.’
Al-Sankoh also describes the late Awoko as a dedicated and passionate community activist.
Renowned journalist, Sierra Leone’s Press attaché in Brussels, Chernor Ojuko Sesay posted on his official facebook page: “Awoko holds the enviable record as the longest serving football Secretary-General in the history of Sierra Leone.”
Ojuku reiterated that Awoko served East End Lions one of the two biggest and most successful football clubs dedicatedly for 21 years before resigning and later founded the Anti-Drugs Football Club.
Ojuku maintained that for over 30 years, Awoko has been a key figure in the election of every Sierra Leone Football Association President, ranging from Benji Davies, Alhaji Saramadi Kabba, Justice Tolla-Thompson, Nahim Khadi and Isha Johansen.
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