By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
In order to mark this year World Disable Day celebration on 3rd December 2023, the Sierra Leone Polio Football Club defeated Brighter Horizon Amputee football club by 2-1 at Cole Town Village in the Western Area Rural District, Waterloo.
The history game was organized by the Management of the Sierra Leone Polio Football Club in collaboration with Brighter Horizon and Pink Power Organizations in a bid to encourage disable persons to showcase their God given talents.
Speaking to the captain of the Sierra Leone Polio Football Club, Alie Badara Kamara aka Dangota said he was delighted for being the winner of this year World Disable Day celebration gala competition against his counterpart the Brighter Horizon by 2:1, while the captain of the other side for Brighter Horizon, Sam Pessima congratulated the winners but said the victory is for all disable as their manager is well noted for his superb contribution towards disability issues across the country.
Prior to the game, the entire Polio FC was divided into two teams so that each and every one disable person, be it Polio, Amputee or semi polio will be included in the celebration whether playing for Polio FC or Brighter Horizon.
According to the Technical coach, Lamin Vidal Koroma aka Network General, this was the 10th edition since the team relocated to Waterloo.
Coach Vidal disclosed further that the team had been surviving through the intervention of his humanitarian partner from Denmark, Manager Erick, who happens to be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for both Brighter Horizon and Pink Power. He said the Sierra Leone Polio Football Club is a well register disable organization in Sierra Leone but had never received any financial or logistical support from both past and present governments but with God’s grace, he said his club is currently performing extremely well in all disable competitions and vowed to continue improving the game into another level.
Coach Vidal said his primary vision was to empower disable persons and other marginalized groups. He added that Brighter Horizon is a nonprofit making organization that is apolitically independent whilst Pink Power is a grassroots movement fighting for the fundamental rights and freedoms of girls and women in Sierra Leone. He said this year World Disable Day celebration was not well planned due to certain unexplained circumference, especially with regards the current economic challenges but commended his players for the trust they have bestowed to him all these years.
In that regards, Coach Vidal expressed his profound appreciation to everyone at Cole Town, especially the newly elected Village Headman, Sullay Kamara aka Ajazy. He also applauded the Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council, (WARDC), Kasho Holland Joseph Cole and above all his international partner for being with them all these trying moments.