By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

The Western Area Rural District Council (WARD-C) football loving fans in Waterloo Township have described Engineer Abubakarr Sidique Sankoh, popularly called Sidipa as a man not only a political figure under the umbrella of the ruling, Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), but a man doing a lot in unite the youths.

This is seen in his role in convincing residents in that part of the country to join his party through organizing social activities which have positioned him to reach an apex in his political career.

Mr. Sankoh is highly appreciated and respected among the youth, women and stakeholders in Waterloo and beyond as a heavy weight politician for currently using the opportunity or platform as a former Young Generation Leader at WARD-C to stage a Football Gala Competition in the tune of Twenty Million Leone (Le 20m) for the first runners up, followed by consolation prizes for the second, third and fourth prize.

The kick off at the opening ceremony of the first edition of Manager Sidipa Trophy organized by Fans of Sidipa happened on Sunday, 20th October, 2024 at the Cole Town Field in Waterloo.

It was played between Gbasshan FC versus Cole Street FC aka Under the Light, the political heavy weight, Engineer Sidipa. It was done in a joyful mood and the heavy weighter started his official deliberation by saluting all Football loving fans who turned up massively in order to throw their unflinching support in to the most targeted and anticipated sport race.

“My gratitude and appreciation to all those that spared their time, efforts and busy schedules to mark a successful commencement of the league,”Sidipa told his audience and noted that the main objective of the competition wasn’t only to tap young talents in the Football game at the Western Rural Area, but to also regularize the Sidipa Football Competition as an annual activity.

Sidipa stressed that he wanted to see the competition ended peacefully as it had started gradually with peace and non-violence, admonishing that in any competition, there must be a winner and loser.

He therefore pleaded with players and fans to accept the result outcome for peaceful co-existent and further described football as a game of chance.

Mr. Sankoh assured hundreds of Football loving fans at the jam-packed stadium that the 2024/25 league season will be more unique with attractive prizes to mark the second edition of the Sidipa’s Trophy. He emphasized his determination to transform the game and made more lucrative for talented and committed players in Waterloo and its surrounding communities.