Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, East End Lions Football Club welcomed distinguished representatives from FIFA to their newly constructed artificial turf pitch at the Trade Centre, which serves as the club’s home ground.
The visiting FIFA delegates included Madam Fatou Camara, Regional Development Manager, and Mr. Issaka Adamou, FIFA Technical Consultant. During the visit, Madam Camara highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in football development, praising the community’s immense passion for the sport. She emphasized that projects like this are vital for nurturing youth development, empowerment, and elevating the quality of football in Sierra Leone and the wider region. The visit reflects FIFA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing football infrastructure across the country.
Both Madam Camara and Mr. Adamou commended the club’s executive team for their significant efforts in delivering such an impactful project. They noted that these strides are greatly advancing the development of football within Sierra Leone’s evolving football landscape. The FIFA representatives expressed their astonishment at the progress made since their last visit three years ago.
“I’m absolutely delighted by the remarkable transformation of the East End Lions FC pitch under the visionary leadership of Chairman Anthony Navo Junior,” said Madam Fatou Camara. “When I last visited this site a few years ago, it was a dusty, undeveloped patch. Today, it’s a vibrant green pitch, offering a professional playing surface that meets modern football standards.”
The visit by FIFA delegates underscores the significant progress being made in Sierra Leone’s football infrastructure, with the East End Lions FC pitch serving as a shining example of the positive impact of such initiatives.