The Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports, Mustapha Haroun Korji has commended members of the Approved School Ex-Players Association (ASEA) for their relentless their efforts in promoting sport in the country especially soccer.

Addressing a cross-section of members of the association, during a courtesy call at his  Bishop House office in Freetown, the director thanked the group for showing gesture and pledged his continued support to the association.

Reminiscing on the history of the association, he described ASEA as a “Custodian of Football and Land Lord at a Approved School Playing Field.”

He assured of his determination to ensure ASEA’s activities be recognised and incorporated into the activities of other national football associations.

Korji thanked the association for the honour bestowed on him, thus stressing that as former football players, they deserve all benefits and opportunities associated with the game.

”You guys deserve every bits of your hearts’ desires including access to Approved School Playing Field, given the enormous contributions you have made towards the development football in that part of the country,” he told the visitors, adding that he will endeavor to communicate all their concerns to the appropriate authorities.

As a mark of honour and appreciation, a T-shirt, bearing the association’s symbol, ASEA’s Constitution and Membership Card were later presented to the Sports Director for him to serve as a Patron of the association.

Declaring the purpose of the meeting, the Vice President of the  ASEA, Musa Orgbokus Koroma, thanked the Director for responding positively to their request.

He intimated that as a fully registered Community Based Organisation, affiliated with a number of Football Associations including, SLAFA, WAFA, among others, they had embarked on several programmes such as on Fundraising events and support to community development activities.

Dilating on challenges facing the association, Mr. Koroma cited lack of access to Approved School Playing Field, adding all of them had once played football.

After series of engagement with authorities of the Approved School Playing Field they’d been vehemently bared from using the field.

He described the action as a deservice and flagrant violation of their right and therefore called on the Director to help address their concerns.

Giving an overview, Secretary General of the association, Max A. Konneh, said the group which comprised footballers and Sports Promoters was formed eleven years ago to seek the welfare of members and promote the development of soccer in the community.

An Adviser, Alhaji Bilal and a representative from the Diaspora, Abu Bakarr Doma, underscored the need for ASEA to be fully recognised and to be given the opportunity to operate seamlessly.

The Vote of thanks was delivered by the Assistant Secretary General, Isatu Newland, while the presentation of  Tshirt, Membership Card and Constitution were done by Mrs. Adama Kamara,  Messrs, Amadu O Koroma and Max A. Konneh, respectively.