The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced the commencement of the construction work for the installation of four (4) artificial turf projects across the country. This was announced in a press briefing held today at the SLFA Secretariat in Freetown.
The projects, worth, $2,243,000 will kick-start at the end of July 2023, preparing and levelling of the grounds. The installation of the artificial turfs will commence in November this year.
The contract was signed between the SLFA and Edel Grass, a Dutch based FIFA contracted company that specialises in the construction and installation of artificial turf.
The Vice President One of SLFA Harold Nat-Johnson expresses delight on the side of the FA in announcing the commencement of these projects. Noting that these new facilities will improve on the quality of the game when completed in March 2024. Mr. Nat-Johnson also said that many other projects will follow after the completion of these turfs.
Mark Jonkers, Project Coordinator for Edel Grass, reiterates his company’s commitment to do quality work. The Netherlands based company has constructed and installed several turfs in Sierra Leone, including Wusum Field in Makeni, Koidu Town Field, Kono, and the Kenema Town Field.
The upcoming projects are worth a total of $2,243,000 to be distributed as follows:
- SLFA Academy, construction and installation of artificial turf – $464,000
- Approved School Field, construction and installation of artificial turf – $520,000
- Port Loko Town Field, construction and installation of artificial turf – $507,000
- Bo Coronation Field, construction and installation of artificial turf – $525,000
- Kono Field, repairing the artificial turf – $50,000
- Kenema Town Field, installation of floodlights – $70,000, and
- Additional lightnings – $206,000.
At the 2023 SLFA Ordinary Congress, the SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima mentioned that these FIFA funded projects were secured and announced by his predecessor, Isha Johansen, in May 2021. Adding that his administration has pushed a step further to improve and facilitate these projects.
By Ibrahim Sorious Samura
