Kailahun Town Chief pours libation as Dr Saffa Abdulai funds artificial turf installation at the Mini Stadium

KAILAHUN — Alpha Bingo Ndolleh, the Town Chief of Kailahun, led a traditional libation on Sunday to mark the start of artificial turf installation at the Kailahun Mini Stadium, a project fully funded by Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the NSA.

Seeking blessings from God and the land’s forefathers, Chief Ndolleh described the initiative as a long-term legacy for the town. “The field was in bad condition. With the artificial turf, we will now refer to this location as a mini stadium because the current atmosphere fits it,” he said, expressing gratitude that the upgrade will improve the venue’s reputation in the community.

According to National Stadium Manager Paul Damulay, the turf installation follows capacity-building efforts carried out during the stadium’s rehabilitation. He thanked Dr Abdulai for ensuring that local staff received training from Chinese experts during the rehabilitation, and he mentioned that those who will install the turf at Kailahun had been trained locally. “The turf will be installed by locally trained individuals,” Damulay stated.

Saidu Daboh, caretaker of the Kailahun Mini Stadium, stated that the project is the realisation of a long-held dream for residents. “We have received what we had hoped for,” he said, praising President Bio’s appointment of Dr Abdulai. Daboh’s remarks reflected widespread local support for private investment in community sports facilities.

Community leaders emphasised the protracted struggle that preceded the upgrade. According to Nasiru Deen Koroma, Secretary General of the Kailahun District Descendants Association, locals had been advocating for the field’s upgrade for more than fifteen years before Dr Abdulai took action. In recognition of his contributions, members of the descendants’ conclave presented Dr Abdulai with a ceremonial sash, formally admitting him to the association.

For Ahmed Kekeh Sahr Lamin, Chairman of the Kailahun District Council, the town’s rising profile is cause for celebration. He praised Dr Abdulai for spreading the Luawa name beyond Sierra Leone’s borders and announced plans to work with him to secure land for a vocational institute in Kailahun, indicating potential broader development associated with the stadium project.
At the ceremony, Dr Saffa Abdulai stated that President Julius Maada Bio will officially open the Kailahun Mini Stadium once the artificial turf installation is completed. “This project is my personal money,” he told attendees, urging local ownership and care for the facility while thanking his wife for her assistance. He also issued a political declaration, stating that he intends to succeed President Bio “when the time comes.”
Sports officials and elected officials praised Dr Abdulai’s investment in football. According to Philip Foday Momoh, vice chairman of the Kailahun District Football Association, Dr Abdulai is passionate about football funding and has declared his membership in Luawa FC in support of the turf project. MP Sarty Banya of Kailahun District credited Saffa’s tenure at the NSA for spurring significant development in local football and urged proper maintenance of the new facility after the project was completed.
Former Member of Parliament Navo Kaikai recalled that Dr Abdulai had represented her pro bono in a legal case involving the APC, emphasising his connection to his hometown. “We will support you in having a standard pavilion with a toilet facility,” she told him, urging Kailahun residents to care for the upgraded field.
Work on the artificial turf has begun, with local teams trained on previous national projects expected to complete installation in the coming weeks. Community leaders urged residents to take ownership of the facility to ensure its long-term viability and benefit future generations of players and spectators.