The transformation of the Kailahun Mini Stadium officially began on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as the Town Chief of Kailahun, Chief Alpha Bingo Ndolleh, led a traditional libation ceremony to mark the commencement of artificial turf installation at the facility.

The project is fully funded and driven by Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA).

Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Ndolleh sought blessings from God and the forefathers of the land and described the development as a lasting legacy for the town. He said the field had previously been in poor condition but would now meet the standard of a mini stadium.

“The field was in bad shape. With the artificial turf, we will now call this place a mini stadium because the current ambiance befits it,” the chief stated.

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National Stadium Manager Paul Damulay said the installation would be handled by Sierra Leoneans who were trained in China during the rehabilitation of the National Stadium.

He thanked Dr. Abdulai for facilitating the overseas training, noting that the skills transfer would ensure local ownership of the process. “The turf will be installed by those trained locally,” Damulay said.

Saidu Daboh, Caretaker of the Kailahun Mini Stadium, described the development as a long-awaited achievement for the community. “We have got what we were yearning for,” he said, adding that President Julius Maada Bio made the right decision in appointing Dr. Abdulai to head the NSA.

Deen Koroma, Secretary General of the Kailahun District Descendant Association, said residents had advocated for more than fifteen years to upgrade the field before Dr. Abdulai intervened. During the ceremony, Dr. Abdulai was decorated with a sash and formally co-opted into the descendant conclave.

Chairman of the Kailahun District Council, Ahmed Kekeh Sahr Lamin, said Dr. Abdulai had promoted the Luawa name beyond Sierra Leone and announced plans to collaborate with him to secure land for a proposed vocational institute in Kailahun.

At the ceremony, Dr. Abdulai confirmed that President Bio would officially open the stadium once the artificial turf installation is completed. He clarified that the project was financed with his personal funds and urged residents to take ownership of the facility. He also thanked his wife for her support and declared his ambition to succeed President Bio in the future.

Vice Chairman of the Kailahun District Football Association, Philip Foday Momoh, commended Dr. Abdulai’s commitment to football development and announced his membership for Luawa FC in recognition of the artificial turf initiative.

Member of Parliament Sarty Banya praised Dr. Abdulai’s leadership at the NSA, stating that football development in Kailahun had significantly improved under his tenure. He called on the community to ensure proper maintenance of the upgraded facility.

Former Member of Parliament Madam Navo Kaikai highlighted Dr. Abdulai’s support for his hometown, recalling that he had represented her in court without charge during a legal case involving the All People’s Congress.

She pledged community backing for future improvements, including the construction of a standard pavilion and toilet facility, and urged residents to safeguard the stadium.

With the installation of artificial turf now underway, the Kailahun Mini Stadium is expected to become a central venue for football and community activities in the district, reflecting what speakers described as both personal commitment and a broader vision for sports development in Sierra Leone.