By Hassan Osman Kargbo

In a bid to promote talented youth through football in the country, Mohamed Gento Kamara has on Monday 14 August 2023, confirmed to football fans and stakeholders that he will be sponsoring this year’s Central One Football Association (COFA) League.

Gento made this disclosure in a meeting with the COFA Executive and community representative held at the Parade Field, along Circular Road, Freetown.

According to Gento Kamara, he is a football loving fan that is why he always found pleasure in sponsoring football competitions especially the COFA League.

He noted that in this year’s tournament the winner of the league will take home the sum of Le50M old Leones, and the runners up will take home Thirty Million Old Leones Le30M old Leone. He added that the third-place team will take home Twenty Million Leones (Le20M) bringing it to the total sum of One Hundred Million Leones (Le100M).

He continued that all teams that will be participating in the tournament will receive one set of jersey and Five Million Old Leones – Le5M to enable teams to be in full gear for the commencement of the League. He noted that any team that qualifies for the next stage will grab Three Million Old Leone.

In his conclusion, Mohamed Gento Kamara thanked the COFA Executive for organizing such a competition for young players to exhibit their talents.

Welcoming the Chief Sponsor of the league, the Chairman of Central One Football Association (COFA), Philipson Cline Cole, profusely thanked Mohamed Gento Kamara for his timely intervention in supporting the COFA League, as it not a surprise to them because Gento had been coming to their aids whenever the need arises.

‘We are not surprised that Gento stepped up to sponsor the league as it has become a routine for Gento financing COFA. Gento have been doing great things for COFA,’ he said.

He continued that COFA is open to more sponsorship, noting that organizing such football tournament is not an easy task as it involves a whole lot, that is why we are open to more sponsors.

‘We are open to more sponsor. I am sure that more institutions will come on board to support our competition,’ he said.

The chairman however, confirmed that they have engaged the referee board that he disclosed have assured them that they will surely officiate matches to the best of their profession with the aim of maintaining the standards of the COFA league.

Public Relation Officer, COFA, Samuel Sama Sesay, told the Forum News SL that it is not the first time Gento has vowed to sponsor COFA League. He said that last year tournament, Gento was the grand sponsor as the tournament ended successfully, this year also the competition will be a success.

PRO Sama called on all communities to put up a decent sportsmanship attitude during and after every match.

He disclosed football is not a do or die affairs, and therefore urged fans to refrain from any fierce acts that will put the game into disrepute thereby disturbing the peace of the league.