Sierra Leone: Bellamy Commences Holiday Work in Sierra Leone

Concord Times (Freetown)

14 June 2011

Freetown — Founder of the first professional football academy in Sierra Leone, Craig Bellamy, has started his holiday work in the country since his arrival in Freetown last Friday. The Wales international who is expected to spend 10 days in the country will today (Tuesday) start a coaching process with the 17 boys who are presently in his academy. The training will run on to Friday.

And in the weekend, Mr. Bellamy will be the guest of honour for the second edition of the Bellamy Challenge Cup at the Academy pitch in Tombo. The competition will involve the six champion teams across the country.

The former Liverpool striker started his work in Freetown serving as chief guest at the Bellamy U-12 & 14 leagues finals in Freetown on Saturday. Sierra Rangers won the Under-12 category after defeating Ibrahim FC 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate at regular time. Promising Stars won the Under-14 category after beating Ibrahim FC 4-1.

The Manchester City striker also attended the grand final of the Bellamy league for girls in Makeni on Sunday. Yesterday he met with the parents of the boys playing his league in Bo, and also visited their respective schools.

The Bellamy Academy is the first professional football academy in Sierra Leone and it started functioning last September. The facility is located at Tombo village in the urban district of the Western Area, about 30 kilometres from Freetown and it is set up to help improve Sierra Leone football at grass root level.

This is the fourth visit of the former Newcastle United, Celtic, Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, Coventry City and Liverpool striker in the country.

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