BY MARILYN KING (232news.com)
As part of his peace campaign message, the former Member of Parliament Honourable Hindolo Tennison Sandy has organised a peace football gala at his Constituency.
The opening match of the Peace Gala was between the Bagdad community and the Upper Water Community football clubs and it took place at the Borrow Pit Field on Sunday 11th June 2023.
Hon. Sandy said the reason he decided to organise and sponsor such a gala is because he wanted to send a loud peace message to his constituency, targeting young people who are always victims or perpetrators of violence before, during and after elections.
He noted that he wanted everyone to understand that “we are one people and one country,” noting that elections should not divide their communities and Sierra Leone at large.
He continued that peace is the bedrock of development and without it there will be no sustainable development for all, stating that the title of this gala is ‘Hon. Hindolo Peace Trophy’, this is to show that he wants to disseminate peace among his constituents and the entire east part of Freetown.
Hon. Sandy furthered that the Peace Gala came at the right time because there are just a few more days to the general elections and he wanted the people in the east end of Freetown to get the message of peace at the back of their mind always put their country first and should not allow anyone to use them to perpetrate violence.
He disclosed that he targeted the footballers because he knows football unifies a nation that is why he brought the youths together to display their talents and also serve as peace ambassadors to their various communities.
He concluded that the gala is going to host 8 teams from 8 different communities and during this period, they will use the platform to spread the peace message to footballers as well as the supporters during matches.
Head coach and constituent of Bagdad Moyiba Community Lansana Jacob said he is happy that Hon. Sandy has brought these teams together because far too long the stakeholders of the communities have been neglecting this venture, but Hon. Sandy has made the difference that is the mark of true leadership.
He furthered that the youths have been the perpetrators and victims of violence during and after elections but this message of peace is timely and will create the anticipated difference.
The gala organiser and constituent of the Moyiba Community Sulaiman Bah said they were satisfied with the turnout of the youths in the Moyiba community to preach peace and love across their neighbourhood, explaining that youths in their communities are football lovers and football brings them together but one thing that divide them is party colours but this time they have decided to cast their votes on development and not colours because Hon. Sandy has made a lot of development in their communities and for that they appreciated him.
The opening match ended with a score line of Bagdad 5 and upper water 2.
