ABC Secretariat Iron Lady entices footballers
Gracing the finals of a soccer gala between Premier Base and Me and My Boys teams that was organized at the Millen Field in Freetown on Monday April 22nd 2012, the National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat, Madam Nanette Thomas called on football teams, stars, and fans to desist from violence and other forms of bad attitudes. (Photo: Hon. Kandeh Baba Conteh and Nanette Thomas)
Addressing the football stakeholders Madam Thomas stressed the importance for them to respect the rules of the game, demonstrate game spirit and use the game to foster peace and development.
According to the National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of ABC Secretariat, football, especially in modern times, if played well has the potential to speed up national development. Madam, Thomas informed that apart from promoting players’ and spectator’s health, the game of football equally provides respectable jobs and boosts national income and reputation.
Nanette Thomas addressing the football teams and their fans
She however noted that due to the prevalence of violence among players and fans the game has in most times proved not cost effective. The prevalence of violence in football Madam Thomas noted has not only cost meaningful lives, but caused the destruction of valuable properties. Furthering, Madam Nanette Thomas divulged that in their move to positively change the attitudes and behaviours of Sierra Leoneans, the ABC Secretariat in their ‘Institutional Approach’ aims at collaborating with sport institutions. And with football being the most popular sport, she stressed her institution’s commitment in raising the awareness of stars, fans, instructors and managers of football on the essence of a non-violent soccer environment.
Madam Thomas concluded by calling on the Gala organisers to use the competition as a good example for other organisations and consequently teams and fans to copy.
On his part, before taking the official kick-off, Hon. Kandeh Baba Conteh of the Peace and Liberation Party (PLP) encouraged the Africanus Youths to maintain their urge of evangelizing the importance of peace. He called on youth organization to exploit sport, especially football, in the bid to curb violence and other criminal activities within their community.
Responding to the reason for organizing the football gala, the President of Africanus Youth Organization, Mark Anthony informed that the spate of violence urged his organization to undertake the venture. He lamented over the rampant abuse of drugs and political impasses among the youths. According to him football which brings youths together in spite of their diverse social, tribal and political background if used properly is competent to arrest violence.
Making a statement the Public Relation Officer of Africanus Youth Organization, Isaac A. Conteh commended Madam Thomas for educating them on the repercussions of violence in sport. He called on the ABC Secretariat to extend their sensitization exercise to other communities and sport institutions.
By Momoja Lappia
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