Sierra Leone: Soccer Star Bellamy Lauds PLB Chairman

Concord Times (Freetown)

20 June 2011

Freetown — Founder of the Craig Bellamy Foundation, Craig Bellamy has commended the Sierra Leone Premier League Board (PLB) Chairman Rodney Michael for running a proper and well organized league.

The Wales international said Michael deserves accolade because “it is difficult to organize football especially in some parts of Africa with little or scarce resources”.

“Let me commend you for your hard work in ensuring a formidable and well organized league is being run in Sierra Leone,” the former Liverpool striker said, adding that he has been following Sierra Leone football with keen interest

He said: “I must confess I am impressed with the new crop of Sierra Leonean players plying their trade in different parts of Europe.” He said football academies are important vehicles to promote and develop the sport from the grassroots.

“Apart from teaching the boys how to play football, football academies also provide them with modern education as all will not be fortunate to play professional football,” he said and appealed to business and other corporate houses to help his football academy stand firm. “It will help the country’s football greatly,” he affirmed.

In his response, PLB Chairman Rodney Michael thanked Mr. Bellamy for having the vision to open a football academy in Sierra Leone, noting that the PLB is always ready to lend their support to the Craig Bellamy Football Academy, and assured the player of the local football authorities’ support.

He concluded: “I want to assure you that the local football authorities will not stand by and allow this your challenging efforts go down the drains.”

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