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| Sierra Leone: Real Madrid plans to set up a football academy |
Real Madrid goalkeeper Ikar CASILLAS completed a four-day visit to Sierra Leone on Thursday 28 June. He traveled to the country for a special assignment on behalf of his team, the newly crowned La Liga champion.
CASILLAS's mission was to look at the possibilities of setting up a football academy in that African country which suffered a horrible civil war some years ago. The proposed site for this project is located in Kambia district in north of the country. However CASILLAS, who was mobbed by adoring fans at every turn during his four-day-stay in Sierra Leone said to BBC Sport: "It's not easy to raise the required funds but we'll try all possible means to raise the money needed for this academy." He also explained why Real Madrid chose Sierra Leone: "We heard a lot about the country and how the people, particulary children, suffered during the war. So we want to contribute on our own way by helping the kids." CASILLAS promised to come back and help fulfil the project.
A football official in Sierra Leone, Idrissa TARAWALLEY expressed how much he was thrilled at the prospect of a Real Madrid-run academy in his country. He said: "It's good news for Sierra Leone football as it will help improve the game. We just hope and pray that the construction of the football academy materialises."
Samuel MBAJUM
(Source: BBC Sport)
30/06/2007 |
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