By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

The highly anticipated Dr. Ibrahim Bangura (DIB) football tournament will kick-off today, October 23, 2025, in Kenema City Field in the eastern province of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is currently facing a deepening crisis as it battles the pervasive influence of drugs, particularly “Kush,” which is wreaking havoc in many communities.

Dr. Bangura, the best flag bearer aspirant for the main opposition APC party in Sierra Leone, has launched a project titled HUB, under the initiative “Kick Kush out of Sierra Leone.”

In a unique support, the friends of Dr. Bangura and other aspiring flag bearers of the All People’s Congress emphasized that one effective way to combat drug abuse is by bringing football to the doorstep of both the youth and the elderly folks in the country.

Thus, the primary aim of this initiative is to deliver a powerful message about the negative effects of Kush and other harmful drugs.

Meanwhile, the DIB Trophy football tournament aims to engage and educate young girls and boys, as well as elder generations, noting that one effective means of spreading this positive message is through football matches where teams from all regions will converge in Kenema to participate.

The name DIB is not just a politician but a humanitarian who has supported numerous young people throughout his tenure as a university lecturer and beyond, and this wonderful tournament will showcase the legacy of both former and current leaders in the APC, with each team representing prominent political figures such as Siaka P. Stevens, Joseph Saidu Momoh, and Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, alongside the true supporters of Dr. Bangura.

Though, the trophy is meant for everyone, transcending political, regional, or ethnic divides, and aims to ensure that all Sierra Leoneans feel included in this event.

However, security measures will be in place to guarantee a safe and enjoyable experience.

Supporters and followers of Dr. Ibrahim Bangura must join in the fight against the devastating impact of drugs in Sierra Leone, stressing that this initiative is not politically motivated but is a collective effort to support and uplift the country despite the systematic increase of drugs in the nation at the moment.