President Bio has on Sunday 21st May, 2023 disclosed that, his Government has invested almost 250 billion Leones in Sports.

He made this statement at the official opening of the Southern Arena Stadium in Bo city.

In his statement, President Bio thanked and appreciated the management of the southern arena, especially the CEO Babadi Kamara for such a laudable venture. He said, football is not just a game but about the passion to succeed, working as a team, empowerment of the young people, persevering against all odds as it preached about uniting Sierra Leone, adding that, it is the first privately owned football facility in the country that has reached international standard. He commended the CEO for translating the passion he has for football into reality.

“In 2018, when the Sierra Leone Peoples Party Government took over, there was a serious decline in sport due to conflict among football stakeholders, no organised national league for over five years, no inter-football and athletic competition, lack of qualifications in major international sporting competitions and no budgetary allocation. In the last five years, my government has invested almost 250 billion Leones in sports which has led to remarkable achievement, our darling Leone stars participated in the African cup of nations in Cameron after an absent of 26 years” he maintaind.

He furthered that under his administration, the female league has gotten life again and that he is very committed to seeing that the dream of young players in Sierra Leone becomes reality adding that with the southern arena stadium much more is anticipated in football as the ministry is being capacitated.

The President ended his speech by formally opening the southern arena and reminding everyone for the June 24th general elections ahead.