The Sierra Leone football community is mourning the devastating loss of a promising young talent, William Koroma, associated with the Edmond Michael Foundation, a division 1 team in Bo established in 2011.

Rodney Michael, a prominent figure in Sierra Leonean football, shared the heart-wrenching news in a poignant message.

William’s journey with the Edmond Michael Foundation began when he was just 11 years old, playing in the U12 Craig Bellamy Foundation league for their team. Over the past 12 years, he has grown into a senior team player, showing immense potential in the world of football.

However, the sports community was struck with grief as news broke of William’s untimely passing. Rodney Michael revealed that the young athlete had been battling type 1 diabetes, a condition that required daily insulin treatment to manage. The foundation had diligently worked to reduce his dangerously high blood sugar levels, from nearly 600 to under 200.

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Despite the foundation’s efforts and the medical support, they provided, tragedy struck when William’s family opted for native treatment instead of the prescribed medical care. This decision proved fatal, and William passed away.

Rodney Michael expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am in tears this morning… May His Soul RIP.” He highlighted that William had received treatment at some of the best hospitals in Bo and Freetown, with dedicated medical professionals making every effort to stabilize his condition. However, the switch to native treatment ultimately led to the tragic outcome.

The loss of this talented young footballer serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers associated with using native or alternative treatments for serious medical conditions like type 1 diabetes. Michael emphasized that type 1 diabetes is not treatable by native means, underlining the importance of adhering to medical recommendations and seeking professional healthcare.