SLFA Begins Groundwork for New FIFA Mini-Pitch at Bo School
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has taken the first steps towards establishing a new mini-football pitch at Bo Government Secondary School, with preliminary ground preparation now underway.
The development follows an agreement between the Association and the school, paving the way for the project’s implementation. Work at the site has so far focused on backfilling and levelling the ground.
Bo School and Albert Academy in Freetown are the two institutions selected to benefit from the FIFA Arena programme in Sierra Leone. The initiative aims to bring football facilities closer to children and young people by establishing mini-pitches in schools and communities.
FIFA launched the global programme with a target of building 1,000 permanent mini-pitches worldwide by 2031. The initiative seeks to expand access to football facilities and create more opportunities for young people to participate in the sport.
For the SLFA, the project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen grassroots football development in Sierra Leone. Access to suitable playing facilities can give schoolchildren more opportunities to practise, improve their skills and develop their interest in the game.
The initiative also complements FIFA’s Football for Schools programme, which integrates football with education and children’s development. The programme promotes values such as teamwork, discipline and inclusion through participation in sport.
With ground preparation underway in Bo, the project has entered its initial implementation phase. The selection of Bo School, alongside Albert Academy, marks a step towards expanding access to football facilities and creating more opportunities for young people to engage in the sport.