President of FIFA and CAF President assured Presiden Bio to develop Sierra Leone’s Football Infrastructure in a bid to host the African Cup of Nations

By Abdul Rahman Bangura–

Photo Credit: Face book

NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS (NABN) Freetown, Sierra Leone- President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA – Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino and the Confédération Africaine de Football, CAF President – Dr. Patrice Motsepe, have called on President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and assured to boost
on the nation’s football infrastructure in a bid to host the African Cup of Nations.

Ibrahim Nyelenkeh – Minister of Sports received the contingent from the football world governing bodies, telling that it was history in the making that Sierra Leone was hosting the sitting presidents of FIFA and CAF for the first time.

“I am not surprised. You must have heard about the government’s assiduous strides and relentless efforts at developing and supporting football from the grassroots to the national level,” he remarked, amplifying that the present administration had favored sport, especially football more than all others in the history of Sierra Leone.

President of Sierra Leone Football Association, (SLFA), Isha Johansen, announced that their visit was as immediate and historic as it was significant to the country. She thanked them for selecting Sierra Leone as one of their three Africa nation tours, the others being Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.

FIFA’s President Infantino said the gathering that it was an honor and a joy to be in Sierra Leone, saying that they were very enthusiastic to assisting Africa glow in the world.

“We know how important football is in Africa. Football is talent, football is passion in Africa. In Sierra Leone, in particular, football is not just a game, football is life. I think the time has come where we have to move forward and look into the future.

“FIFA and CAF stand for due process, for integrity, for democracy and to make sure that we can once again put aside all negativities that have tarnished the image of football in the country in the last few years. Let us move to promote a positive and united approach because we need unity in this country,” he exhorted.

The Swiss and Italian national, who has been president at FIFA since February 26th, 2016, also called on all stakeholders to work together to make football very impressive and a way of life. He said everyone desired to work together for the growth of the nation, mainly in Sierra Leone where football was much more significant.

CAF’s President Motsepe first thanked President Bio for his honesty, integrity and fraternal swap of ideas, before calling on all to work together and with him in the best interest of football ,and a beautiful country. He confided that the President exemplified a new variety of administration not just for Sierra Leone but for Africa, adding that the
country had also produced outstanding football players and affirmed confidence that it would proceed to develop great players. He promised CAF and FIFA’s allegiance to aiding Sierra Leone with the requisite infrastructure to host the African Cup of Nations pretty soon.

In a brief statement, President Bio greeted the Presidents of FIFA and CAF to Sierra Leone, pointing out that football continued a custom that the people of his country loved and cherished.

“It is one of the uniting forces in Sierra Leone. We are very polarized when it comes to politics, but when it comes to football you can see the passion, you can see the joy. It is a different Sierra Leone, especially with football,” he ensured.

He similarly stated that, generally when passion struck, there were always handfuls of challenges, but underscored that the nation looked forward to an SLFA administration that would move the country as a nation. He warned that the people should not be constrained of the game that every Sierra Leonean cherished.

For New Africa Business News (NABN) Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports,  Africa Correspondent