The rehabilitation of Coronation Ground in Bo has now reached an advanced stage. The Ground is owned by Bo City Council, and sports events such as basketball, volleyball and Football, are held there. It hosts public gatherings for religious, social, political and other activities.
The rehabilitation project commenced on Wednesday March 23, 2020 before Sierra Leone had its index case of Coronavirus on March 31, 2020.
It could be recalled that sometime this year the Sierra Leone Football Association requested for district Football Associations to send proposals for development projects which will be funded by the Sierra Leone Football Association. The Bo District Football Association opted to acquire the Bo Coronation Grounds and give it a facelift conducive for sports generally and football in particular.
According to the District Football Media Team, in a meeting held at the Methodist Youth Resource Centre on 15, September this year ,the substantive Chairman of BoDFA ,Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh disclosed that the Bo City Council had leased the Grounds to BoDFA for a period of fifty (50) years and rehabilitation and promised that work will commence soon.
Through the project BoDFA aims to transform the facility into a multi-purpose complex with an Athletic track, Volleyball and Basketball courts and a well-groomed football playing pitch. It will also provide a congenial atmosphere for hosting several other activities.
The work will be done in phases. First a new gate will be constructed on the main entrance to the grounds; the pitch will be graded and planted with grass a new perimeter fence will be constructed.
In the subsequent phases of the project rooms for match officials and the press, and a tunnel will be built.
The District Chairman, Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh, is overwhelmed with joy as if he has acquired the property for his immediate family, he said, noting it is the beginning of an era of development for football in Bo district.
He said the grounds had been officially handed over to the Bo District Football Association on Saturday September 26th2020.
When the project would have been completed, Bo city will have two sport facilities. It is hoped that this will help the growth of sports in the southern region of the country, and ease the clogging of events at the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown, which resultantly has led to its deteriorated state.
By Desmond Tunde Coker
28/09/2020 ISSUE NO: 7918