The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone National Sports Authority, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, alongside the Country Director of FANT Sierra Leone, the Project Manager, and the Finance Officer of Football for A New Tomorrow (FANT), has embarked on an important visit to Denmark. The primary aim of the trip is to secure additional opportunities and support for sports development in Sierra Leone.
One of the key objectives of the visit is to engage with organizations that can contribute to the advancement of sports infrastructure in Sierra Leone. Dr. Abdulai expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “I had the incredible opportunity to meet some amazing individuals from FANT Sierra Leone and Denmark who are supporting our efforts to explore the use of artificial turf for Sierra Leone. This initiative is aimed at benefiting young people and transforming sports across the nation.”
As part of their mission, the team visited NKI Sport DK, one of Denmark’s largest producers of artificial turf. Despite challenging weather conditions—including rain, sun, and cold—the delegation remained dedicated to the cause. “We are committed to transforming sports and improving the lives of young people through this initiative,” said Dr. Abdulai.
FANT Sierra Leone has already made significant strides by installing artificial turf at three different fields within the capital city, Freetown. The organization’s Country Director, Rechard—commonly known as “ICE”-alongside Project Manager Mamadu Bah, also known as “Artor,” emphasized that expanding artificial turf installations to district headquarters towns could drastically improve the development of young football talents across the country.
“With continued support from our partners in Denmark,” said Rechard, “we are confident we can bring smiles not only to the faces of football fans, but also uplift sports in general across Sierra Leone.”
FANT has numerous developmental projects currently in the pipeline. The organization employs over 100 workers who are actively engaged in community development initiatives throughout the country. Their consistent efforts have already had a significant impact on the growth of sports and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone.
As this international partnership continues to evolve, hopes are high that Sierra Leone will witness a new era of sports development-one where young athletes are provided with modern facilities, opportunities for growth, and a brighter future through sports.
