By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has commended Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., Chairman of the East End Lions Football Club, for the remarkable transformation of the club’s playing ground at Louis Field into a modern sports facility.
During an impromptu visit to the site on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai expressed deep admiration for the quality and vision behind the project. He described the upgrade as a bold investment in community development and youth empowerment, hailing it as one of the most significant private-sector contributions to football infrastructure in recent years.
“I’m currently at the East End Lions playing field at Louis Field where they’re fixing the artificial turf,” Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai said. “Luawa FC will defeat East End Lions whenever we clash on this turf,” he jokingly added, before applauding the initiative. “Thank you very much, Anthony Navo Jr., for contributing to the infrastructure of football. This is massive and a good investment.”
Although the visit was not pre-arranged, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai took the opportunity to witness the transformation first-hand and share his thoughts. “I know you haven’t given me permission to video,” he remarked humorously, “but I was just passing from Lungi and thought I should take a look. It’s really a job well done.”
He went on to describe the development as the work of a “Renaissance mind,” praising the modern facility as a milestone achievement for both the club and the community it serves.
Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., who also serves as the CEO of the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Group, has received widespread recognition for his leadership and commitment to youth development through sports. Under his stewardship, the East End Lions Football Club, one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most decorated football institutions has undergone significant rejuvenation, both on and off the pitch.
The new state-of-the-art facility features artificial turf and improved infrastructure aimed at supporting talent development, fostering community engagement and elevating the overall standard of football in Sierra Leone.
In a statement following the NSA Director’s visit, Amb. Navo Jr. expressed appreciation for the recognition. “The kind words and genuine appreciation from someone like Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai mean a lot. It validates the hard work and vision behind this project,” he said. “This facility is not just for East End Lions; it belongs to the community and to the future of Sierra Leonean football.”
Supporters and community members have also applauded the transformation, describing the upgraded Louis Field as a beacon of hope for aspiring young athletes across the country.
The East End Lions are preparing to usher in a new chapter of football excellence with the upgraded playing field set to serve as a vital platform for nurturing talent and promoting professional sportsmanship in Sierra Leone.
This development reaffirms Amb. Navo Jr.’s status as a transformational leader, one whose dedication to progress continues to bridge the gap between vision and reality in both the media and sporting sectors.
