By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In order to develop and expose young talents in Sierra Leone, Star Sport Academy has received top football agents and scouts in the country.
The agents were welcomed in a press conference held at the Academy’s secretariat at number 81 Pademba Road on the 4th July, 2023.
In his welcoming statement in front of journalists, at the academy’s Freetown office, the owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , Yankuba Tarawally noted that the reason for the said agents will provide clear opportunities for young talented players to improve on their footballing knowledge and the possibility to ply their trade overseas.
He added that the academy is not a money making institution, as it was established to develop young talents in the country Under 18. He also stated that the academy is set to stage an eight team trial tourney where 4 teams from the provinces and 4 from the Western Area have been selected to take part.
Yankuba further said that the young players that the agents will select from the trials will travel to different parts overseas to continue developing their careers. He also said that they have at recent times participated in a tournament in Senegal where football agents showed their willingness to partner with them.
He confirmed that they have arranged for the travel of young players overseas whose details they will soon provide. He revealed that the academy has secured 10 acres of land at Songo village for the construction of the academy’s mini stadium, noting that they have already purchased the artificial turf to be spread on the pitch after they would have completed the other aspects of the field.
One of the agents and football Advisor from South Africa, residing in Istanbul, Turkey, Bevan Dicks noted that he has been a football lover especially for African football for the past eleven years. He said through his contact with the CEO of Star Sport, they are ready to help in their own way to move the academy forward.
He added that helping young African talents especially in Sierra Leone is an opportunity for them to showcase their talents overseas. He said there is a massive opportunity for Sierra Leone football as the academy ready to champion the course.
Peter Smith, another agent from Belgium said they are here to move Sierra Leone football to the next level. He also said that whenever someone talks about football, the individual must be talking about the youth as they are the power behind football who they want to expose to the world.
“In a football industry, not all players will be successful, but I want to motivate those that will not be selected,” he said.
He said Sierra Leone has produced very interesting players in recent times and that they are here to identify talents from the academy and sell them to the world. He went on to say that they need a collective strength in helping both the young players and the agents in moving youth football in the country.
Star Sport Academy was established in December 2021 and started full scale operation in January 2021 to develop young talent in the country.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/08/23)
