By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Sierra Rangers, commonly known as “Papa Jack Boys,” have announced that they would be organizing a charity match this year. They made the announcement in a press conference on Monday where they revealed that they would be hosting league champions East End Lions in an exhibition match on the 28th of this month.
The chief coordinator of the game, a former player for the Rangers, Abubabkar Marrah, told Politico in an interview that the game will be played in honor of the founder of the team, Jack Monterey
“Papa Jack has created a legacy. This is something we want to do every year in his honour,” Marrah said.
The match has been slated to play during the festivities. Marrah said tickets will be sold from as low as Le5000 to as high as Le50, 000.
“Half of the proceeds from the game will be donated to less privileged people and the other will be given to the team, especially players who have not been able to make it,” he said.
Monterey, who is late, worked in Sierra Leone as a philanthropist. His love for football and children led him to build a solid youth team in the country in the early 2000’s. His crop of players are now scattered across Sierra Leone and Europe playing football, some retired.
East End Lions were not present during the press conference, but they have reportedly consented to play in the fixture. Marrah said Lions were selected because they wanted to have a stern test even though it was an exhibition match.
Organizers say more than 50 former players of Sierra Rangers have consented to play for the team in the fixture next week. Among the names are current Sierra Leone captain, Umaru Zaingellay Bangura, Sierra Leone international Kwame Quee and former international Mohamed Bangura.
This is the first time in many years that Sierra Rangers is reconstituting itself to play at such a level. Marrah encouraged Sierra Leoneans to turn out and witness the game.
East End Lions are currently engaged in the Sierra Leone Premier League. Sources close to the team say they see this game as just another fixture, and they have a serious squad depth to field a strong 11 against the veterans of Sierra Rangers.
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