SPORTS US Based Sierra Leone Youth Footballer Talks About His Recent Experience in Freetown Posted by on Nov 26, 2009, 13:17

Sierra Leone Football Sensation Solomon TONNY Anthony......One For The Future

One of Sierra Leone’s top rated youth footballer Solomon Anthony popularly known as “TONNY” who lives in the United State shares his view and experience with Standard Times Sports Desk during his recent trip to Sierra Leone. After his outstanding performance in the Sierra Leone Annual Interstate Soccer Tournament in Philadelphia and Texas, a scout and football promoter Mr. Bob Anthony who has been monitoring the performance of the young star recommended Tonny to the Sierra Leone Football Association for an International game against Gambia U17.

“I was called up by the SLFA for a two-leg encounter against the Gambia U17.”  Tonny told Standard Times Sports. “My club paid my air ticket to Freetown and back. I was happy to go back home and represent my Country that is part of any young player dream to play for his National team.”

Sierra Leone Football Sensation Solomon TONNY Anthony......One For The Future

According to Tonny his experience with the team was disappointing “During my first day at practice I was at the Stadium for morning practice and to my surprise the team did not show up for practice. I called the coach and he told me the team can’t make it to practice because there is no gas in the bus that transports the players to the Stadium. I was disappointed to hear an issue like that with a national youth team.

“I was at practice later in the afternoon and the coach was impressed with my way of playing. I had a good time playing together with other players I meet on the team, there was a lot of talented home based players but there was just no good support provided for the team and the players there was no training kits, no medical staff, no trainer provided for the players till it was time for the team to travel to Gambia for the away game.”

Again there was no money to provide transportation for the team to fly to Gambia they had to re-schedule the game because the team could not make it on time. And one of the players’ fracture his ankle during practice sessions and there was no medical staff to take care of him and the FA did not take responsibilities of his medical bill he had to go to the hospital himself and pay for his medical bill.

“My view on Sierra Leone football is that there is no foundation and program for the development of football. Also there is no good youth system in the country that will develop and harness the talents of youths like they have in other countries.”

On what need to be done Tonny said “Sierra Leone FA need to develop a good youth system that will help developed the youth or else it will be hard for the Country to compete in International level”.

Tonny is the team captain for his club Freetonians F.C.and has won a lot of trophies for his club and other personal awards. “I have been with my present club for 4 years and won 3 league championship trophies and won the Sierra Leone Annual Soccer Tournament two times in row and Most Valuable Player, Team Captain, Best Midfielder as my personal awards. He has made the State all Stars team 3 times in a row.