Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Former Leone Stars Team Manager Christian Dauda has signed a contract with Bondi & Associates Ltd to construct a multi-purpose sports facility at Prince of Wales school ground, Kingtom.
It could be recalled that Christian Dauda pledged the sum of Le50,000,000 (Fifty Million Leones old note) following the team’s success in the 2023 Western Urban District Inter-Secondary Football grand final beating Ahmadiyya Secondary School 3-2 to lift the trophy after thirty-one years since they were last crowned champions.
Speaking during the visitation of the site at the school compound Christian Dauda said using the money to buy sporting equipment will only last for months but constructing a Multi Sports complex will not only serve as a legacy but the school will raise more money by renting the facility.
He said: “I intend to present the cash but as I said in my pronouncement a week ago, the money is meant for sporting development in which pupils will benefit especially those who can exhibit their talents in sports,” Christian said.
These brand-new multi-use sports courts will add a real asset to the existing education facilities. The facility will provide a safe space for pupils to be active while raising interest and attracting future pupils.
“Sports is fastly becoming the jewel in the crown of education, so investing in this multi-purpose sports facility will motivate other pupils to be involved in sports”.
Principle of JSS, Madam Agatha H.Y Macfoy thanked Christian Dauda for his laudable project in the school. She said investing such money in school sports facilities will serve as a legacy instead of using it to buy football equipment.
She said: “Investing in sports facilities will help in the growth of sports because the school lacks good sports facilities which will enable the pupils to showcase their talents,”.
She however expressed concern about disunity before and after the Inter-Secondary School tournament, adding that the JSS was not involved. “Whatever benefit/s whether financial or moral support both the JSS and SSS should be inclusive of all”. “I have been in this job for over Thirty-five years and whosoever intends to help whether present or old pupils should include both JSS and SSS,” She advised.
The new sports facility will now be part of the school’s landscape grounds dedicated to sports, including Tennis, Basketball, Handball, Netball, Hockey and Soccer.
President of Old Princewaleans Association (OPWA), Sulaiman Rahman Kamara applauded Christian Dauda for such a laudable initiative to construct this complex. Sulaiman said: “This has been my dream since I assumed office as President Of OPWA,” he said in his statement. He continued: “To use this money for sporting activities or buy sporting equipment is good but how does it benefit our pupils, he asked. “We can have the sports equipment but if better facilities are not available how can we identify these talents?
“When I saw our right back throwing long ball I see former Southampton right back (Delap) and I told the coach to instruct him to be taking long throws whether from the left or right and succeeded in lifting the trophy, so it tells you that we can identify athletes if we have better sports facility,”.
Principal for SSS, George Abiodun Lefevre thanked Christian for his contribution before and after the tournament. Lefevre said: “The initiative is good but I can’t take decisions alone”, he said. “This multi-complex will benefit the pupils but will definitely weigh the options and I will definitely reach you back on the way forward”. He said in his statement. BT/13/3/2023