I saw you added me to this forum and thanks. And the first I read is about a gala for Bai Mamoud, which APC aspirants use to gain popularity. I never used sports to gain popularity. Instead, I put my deputy Al-Sankoh in-charge of grassroots sports. Some ministers like Pallo Conteh, Ahmed Khanou aided by my deputy; attacked me to gain sports positions
I just want to say that as Sports minister, all the MPs of Kambia district and the chairmen of the seven chiefdoms would tell you how I distributed futbols to all of them.
I gave all MPs 20 balls for their various districts. And organize a gala in which I distributed two sets of vests, balls and millions of leones for the unity gala involving all the seven chiefdoms.
Infact, that led to the dispute between the chairmen from the seven districts of Mambolo, Obama, Farkeh and others with Petito; that ended in the attack against them at Kambia District Council.
They thought I was doing it for politics but it was to promote unity and development of futbol in the entire district. You can also ask Dura the present Tonko MP.
I was also responsible to provide funds for the Kambia district team when they come to Freetown. I refund their transport fare, provide food and lodging at the stadium. I am always at their beck and call. But many of you don’t know and so I say it now.
Mind you, I am not an MP of any of the seven chiefdoms. But I did help a lot even before I became Sports minister as owner of Wellington People. Just like I benefit majority of Salone players including Mohamed Kallon to be successful today through the Swedish Connection.
Kambia District has invited many aspirants to take kick-off galas; and I am not saying that they should invite me. But I want to say I have done more for Kambia district in futbol more than any aspirant that they’ve invited.
I only say this since you invited me in this forum and what I read. I did it not for politics but for love of country. Just as I sacrificed my life and limb for God and Country.
And that’s why my record in futbol is unsurpassable. My team Wellington People won the first U 20 for Salone in Benin.
I brought a Swedish coach, Roger Palmgren who qualified Salone twice for CAF and won two successive two Zone 2 competitions.
And I achieved the highest rankings under EBK which cannot easily be surpassed; for him to campaign and win an election with futbol and called World Best.
Kambia is always known to throw away their own kith and kin. When Sir Milton of SLPP forced Bai Farama Tass 2 to contest against a Lebanese, Mamoud Ahmed from Port Loko, Kambia people voted against him.
He did not want to contest and he died ten years later with a broken heart. His people betrayed him!
When Abdul Thorlu- Bangura known as the Black Prince in England and from the same Magbema chieftaincy house contest to represent Magbema under Shaki; when his house at Adelaide St, was the meeting place for the APC ( Taqi, Forna etc), Magbema people voted against him and he died at a remote village in the outskirts of Kambia.
Even when nobody would contest that I am the No 1 journalist and human rights activist in the country; persecuted and pauperised by all govts from Shaki to Bio: Kambia people still, don’t appreciate their own son who has done more than any aspirant for futbol.
And I also come from the Magbema ruling house; and a descendant of the great warrior Farma Tami; apart from the fact, that I was born in Tonko Limba my maternal blood.
I only say this; to trace history for those who don’t know to know; especially the youths that Kambia district, especially Magbema always betray their own.
By Paul Kamara
