By Fatmata Jengbe
On the 31stOctober 2020, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, with accreditation to Italy and Austria, His Excellency Dr Mbaimba Lamin Baryoh, donated two sets of complete football jerseys to the Diamond Stars Football Club (DSFC) for home and away matches during an impressive donation ceremony that was held at the Koidu City Council Hall in Kono District.
The gesture was in furtherance of his support to his people and the vision of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to promote Kono District and the country at large.
During the well-attended ceremony, the Chairman of DSFC, Hon. Paramount Chief, Paul Garba Saquee ,commended all for attending the program also highlighting that the event was meant to encourage others to emulate the sterling example of Ambassador Dr. Mbaimba Baryoh to promote youths and sports not only in the district but nationwide.
He recalled that when Ambassador Dr. Mbaimba Baryoh was in the country last year, he visited the team while in training, that the team is currently on intensive training and patiently waiting for the national league to commence assuring that new players would be bought and that even the First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Bio is enthusiastic to support the team revealing that they have prepared a budget that would be shared with all stakeholders to support the team, appealed to the players to be committed, disciplined and performance-oriented and assured that the items would be used for their intended purpose.
According to the DSFC Chairman, youths and sports would help to unify the district and country for peace and development.
Paramount Chief Foryoh of Sowa Chiefdom disclosed that the donation is important for all aimed at supporting the vision of Government and the President to advance the country in the areas of youths and sports through the SLPP and chiefdom authorities enlightening that after consultations with various stakeholders, Dr. Mbaimba Baryoh decided to make the donation to youths and sports asserting that sports bring people together while youths are Government’s priority reiterating that the donation is to develop youths and sports in the district.
On behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Mbaimba Lamin Baryoh, Dr. Robert T. Moikowa, who represented Ambassador Dr. Mbaimba Lamin Baryoh extended appreciation to all for attending the event highlighting that Ambassador Dr. Mbaimba Bayoh has done so much for the country and the district for which he was recognized by former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah by awarding him the Grand Commander of the Order (GCOR) of the Rokel in addition to the fact that he has promoted livelihood support in the district by cultivating a large farm for which he was also awarded the title of Master Farmer and that he is also operating a hospital in Freetown among other development projects.
According to Dr. Robert Moikowa, the Kono people would continue to celebrate Dr. Mbaimba Baryoh, that with the new jerseys Diamond Stars is assured of victory, acclaimed the on-going development projects in the district that has lagged behind but is optimistic would advance under President Bio citing the pressure group, the Kono District Result Group underscoring that there would be no compromise regarding the development of the district.
Paramount Chief S.E.M. Konobundor observed that a lot of transformations have taken place in the district, that Kono District would be put on the map, assured the team of their unflinching support and commended the Baryoh family for its numerous support and sacrifices to advance the district and country.
Earlier, Mr. Kai Bobor, Secretary General of DSFC, introduced dignitaries at the ceremony assuring that Diamond Stars would win this year’s league.
Other dignitaries who made statements at the ceremony included the elder brother of Dr. Mbaimba Baryoh, Mr. Sullay Baryoh, the Chairlady of the Market Women, the District Organizing Secretary of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), the Board of Trustees of DSFC, the coach of DSFC and the Kono District Old Players Association all of whom commended Dr. Baryoh for the invaluable support which they described as a sign of appreciation and motivation to the players pointing out that Kono is the only district where the team’s responsibility lies on the Paramount Chiefs and the entire district.
Diamond Stars Football Club was founded in 1954 and won the Premier League in 2012 and 2013, the International MEADA Gala Cup in 1998 during which period the team played Bendel Insurance of Nigeria to become runners-up, won the Football Association (FA) Cup in 1992 and emerged second position in the 1994 CAF competition.
Diamond Stars is always in the fourth position in all competitions except in 2018 due to some internal problems.
The vote of thanks was rendered by the team’s coach who acclaimed Dr. Baryoh for the donation and appealed to other sons and daughters of the district to emulate his exemplary example.
