By Politico staff writer
Politico sports can confirm that when the project to upgrade the football pitch in the east of the city at a place called Trade Center where East End Lions play their home matches is complete fans will experience state-of-the-art facilities open to all. The people in the east end of Freetown are celebrating.
EE Lions chairman Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., announced the arrival of a container of equipment required to build the modern structure and experienced contractors to build a state-of-the-art Football pitch.
Ambassador Navo said the initiative marks a significant milestone for the Club, signalling the dawn of a new era, while emphasising the club’s commitment to make constant progress.
Chairman Navo Jr. said: “It’s a new era for East End Lions F.C as promised and delivered. As promised 2 years ago…today is the start of this journey and I am delighted to see to this project finally come to fruition – many thanks to everyone – elders, players, fans, executives. We look forward to seeing the final results! E.E Lions – The Killers”.
Ambassador Navo Jr. said in 2028, the East End Lions Football Club will be celebrating its 100 years and assured that ahead of that celebration, the construction project of the cutting-edge pitch at the Trade Centre must have been completed and ready for use. He revealed that as part of the new era, this year, he has started a full-scaled transformation in the club, adding that since its establishment 95 years ago, the club has represented Sierra Leone in Africa’s Club Championships many times and has recorded lots of positives in the game.
Chairman Ambassador Navo Jr. said: “As we speak, I have brought in 6 foreign players – 5 Ghanaian and 1 Nigerian, including a foreign coach for the team. Our aim at the moment is not only to compete locally but to get our boys to play international friendlies in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco and other countries in Europe in the near future. “The new era transformation and restructuring agenda will also see International Football Clubs being invited to come play East End Lions in Sierra Leone on friendlies”.
A retired footballer, Abdul Akim Sesay fondly called Maradona, praised chairman Navo’s commitment and strides towards the development of the game noting that Navo was an example to follow in football development.
Maradona said: “We have witnessed on several occasions chairman Navo stating that the Trade Centre Pitch will be upgraded to a modern pitch and will be made accessible to not only the Club but the community and the whole country. The commencement of the Pitch construction represents a significant step forward for the East End Lions Football Club in particular and Sierra Leone in general”.
Ahead of the Sierra Leone Premier League season 2022/2023, the Club secured the Technical Institute Training field ground commonly referred to as Trade Centre at Ferry Junction.
East End Lions is a professional football club in Sierra Leone based in the capital, Freetown. They play in Sierra Leone's top soccer league, the Sierra Leone National Premier League.
The Club is one of the two biggest and most successful football clubs (along with their main rivals, the Mighty Blackpool) in Sierra Leone's football history. This Club was founded in 1928 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Sierra Leone.
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