By Ibrahim Karim Banguara (Tanko)

As grass root football academy showcases pivotal role in exposing young talents at the international stage, Star Sports Academy in Sierra Leone sets to honour the 7th edition of Antalya Cup International Youth Football Tournament in Turkey.

The homegrown young player’s objective platform is to shine at the international scene such as by traveling with players across different parts of the world targeting mainly European soil with persistence to getting external attention.

Although, the Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Jusu Tarawally said the justification behind their participation in this year’s Antalyspor tournament was to showcase their young players outside with high potential to excel in  the world and to give them the opportunity to become professional football players in future.

According to sources, over hundred teams will assemble at the Belek Stadium in Antalya to compete in this year’s tournament.

“This is the first time in the history of Sierra Leone football that a team from Sierra Leone will appear in this historical event.’

The occasion runs from the 16th to the 19th of May 2024.

Giving podium to young players to further develop outside Sierra Leone has been the academy’s main motive since it was established.

They can proudly brag about having players from some part of Europe like Abu Dumbuya, a Sierra Leone national team player.

Currently some are playing the ASKA Super League in Cyprus, as well as having players in Turkey with Atalayspor, Citta Bah, who currently plays with FDC Vista in Russia and a lot more as they stick to its original plan to date, he said.

Besides, Sierra Leone players at international level have always been the dreams of the academy’s CEO Yankabu Tarawally who have been funding all of these projects with little or no support from any external party.

His inclusion has brought Sierra Leone football huge lifeline of hope with his unwavering commitment in ensuring our local players have the best opportunities and platform in reaching the global scene.