By: Amb. Unisa Totti Fofanah
On the 2nd of November 2025, the Port Loko Mini Stadium was filled with excitement and pride as the Bai Bureh Warriors Football Club received a generous donation of football items from the Future Stars Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, Canada. The donation, which included a full set of jerseys, football boots, and balls, was presented by the Honorable Member of Parliament, Abdul Latiff Sesay, during the second half of the team’s opening encounter in the 2025/2026 Leone Rock Premier League season. The moment was symbolic, not only for the team’s sporting aspirations but also for the growing spirit of community and international solidarity among Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
The Future Stars Foundation has long been recognized for its commitment to youth empowerment through education and sports. Its mission is to nurture potential and create opportunities for young people in under-resourced communities. The Foundation’s support to the Bai Bureh Warriors was made possible through the efforts of Babson Sesay, a proud former player of the Warriors Football Club, and now an active member of the Foundation in Canada. His effort to connect his club with international partners demonstrates a strong sense of patriotism and a desire to give back to the community that shaped him both as a player and as an individual.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Future Stars Foundation, Hon. Abdul Latiff Sesay commended the organization and Babson Sesay for their commitment to sports development in Port Loko District. He emphasized that sports, especially football, play a vital role in uniting communities, promoting discipline, and inspiring young people to pursue excellence. Hon. Abdul Latiff Sesay reaffirmed the foundations commitment to supporting youth initiatives, noting that such partnerships between local institutions and the diaspora are crucial in driving sustainable community development.
Receiving the items, the team’s President, Hon. Rachel Mariatu Sesay Pessima expressed deep appreciation to the Future Stars Foundation for their thoughtful gesture. She praised Babson Sesay for being a shining example of community service and thanked Hon. Latiff Sesay for facilitating the presentation. Hon. Pessima described the donation as timely, given the team’s renewed ambitions in the ongoing league season. She pledged that the items would be used effectively to enhance team performance and morale, ensuring that the Bai Bureh Warriors continue to make Port Loko proud on the national stage.
In his closing remarks, the team’s Chairman, Santigie Ibrahim Kamara (Kulaylay), extended a heartfelt appeal to other industrious sons and daughters of Port Loko, both at home and in the diaspora to emulate Babson Sesay’s example by supporting the team, whether financially or materially. He highlighted that collective efforts and community support are essential in sustaining the growth of local sports. The day ended on a high note, with cheers from fans and players alike, celebrating not only the generosity of the donors but also the enduring bond between the Bai Bureh Warriors and their global family of supporters.
