U12 category, JC Sports Academy and Golden Soccer to kick start Sports For Empowerment Foundation (SFE) whilst Wan-Word Academy battle it out against JC Sports in the four teams opening ceremony at the Koidu Community Field on the 10 of July.

From the 10th of July to 10 August 2022, a total of 22 teams, twelve U12 and ten U 14 set to participate in the maiden League organised by SFEF in Kono, Eastern Province of Sierra Leone.

In collaboration with Kono District Football Association, the organisers have confirmed that only young boys and girls attending schools within Kono will be part of the 352 children’s soccer education.

The focus is to encourage more parents to allow their children to go to school in the Diamond rich area of Sierra Leone.

“Our findings made us know that children drop out of school with the hope of becoming professional footballers. However, our work is to help these kids get an education while learning the trade of a footballer. Hence why we emphasise that children participating in the League must be school-goers and live within Kono,” SFE explained to FSL News.

Netherland-based founder Desmond Paine vehemently stated that the structure is to see many more children accomplish their dreams of becoming a professional footballers one day.

“Our work in various ways is good because it will assist in improving the children in healthy competition and prepare them for professional football career and life after football. As a country, we want to use football to educate these kids, as grassroots football is fundamental to their development.

Mr Paine continues, “The people of Kono will benefit from this initiative because it will serve as a means of getting their children off the mining industry and protecting them from engaging in crimes, drug abuse and early teenage pregnancy among boys and girls.”

“Why now? because we want to take the children off the street and send them to school before education is a great problem in that part of the country.”

All 352 children will receive medals whilst the first, second and third-get trophies and certificates. The coaches and managers will benefit from the second phase of grassroots football and management training.

Sport For Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone is a non-profitable foundation striving to create a learning environment and opportunities to empower the minds and lives of young people through sports in Sierra Leone.

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