By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
In order to boost sports on the campus, the management of NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL) has renovated and handed over a Squash court building to the Fourah Bay College (FBC) administration.
The handing-over ceremony was done at the Squash court environment located at the Havelock Grounds on the 11th of May, 2023.
In his opening statement, General Manager (GM) of NP-SL Saidu Mansaray noted that over the past years, the petroleum company has endeavored to support education, health, and sport.
He said they have constructed buildings at Wilberforce Primary School, the FBC Engineering Department, and the Government Independence Memorial Secondary School’s WASH facility, the Squash court at Bo Government Secondary School, the Grammar School Squash court, Saint Edwards Secondary School, and FBC Squash court.
He stated that NP-SL believes that combining sport and education can help students develop a self-motivated spirit that will enable them to do things on their own while including community unity, diversity, and harmony. He said sport remains the healthiest social means of recreation and entertainment that Sierra Leonean youth can continue to explore and experiment amidst transitional challenges to adulthood.
Mansaray added that, as much as education, art, and sports are always at the top in terms of children and youth development, they want young people to take advantage of the opportunity to develop their minds with dedication and bodies with sports as they continue to engage each other in peace, love, and unity. He urged all to celebrate the new Squash court and to look forward to seeing the benefit it will bring while encouraging the students to use the new facility to live a healthier life.
In his keynote address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of FBC, Professor Kelleh Gbao Mansaray pointed out that they were receiving one of the most treasured athletics in Sierra Leone at the college, courtesy of a cash injection by NP-SL as part of its investments in leisure facilities across the country.
He further stated that they are developing infrastructure to improve the quality of every student and staff, including the high-standard completely renovated squash court at FBC which he said cannot be done without the support they received from NP-SL, their development partners.
He reiterated that the facility will be a huge asset to the college in years to come and promised that they will make very good use of it. He added that the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie will be delighted to see a facility like the squash court which will enhance the opportunity for more Sierra Leoneans to take part in squash activities.
Professor Mansaray confirmed that as a former squash player himself, the sport remains the healthiest so far. He said just thirty minutes of playing Squash will give someone an impressive cardiorespiratory workout.
He therefore urged students, staff, members, and the Leicester and Gloucester community people also to start playing squash and make themselves healthier people. He said the support from NP is not only limited to the squash court, as the petroleum company has proposed to construct a new fuel station and Mini-market on the FBC campus. He went on to say that, as part of the college’s contribution to NP, they will donate the land at free cost.
The DVC also noted another support NP has given to the college through its former Managing Director who is also the current Executive Chairman of the company, Alhaji Mohamed Babatunde Cole Ph.D. who championed the construction as Engineer and donated an ultra-modern furnished multi-purpose building valued at 2 million dollars.
“I am proud to mention that Engineer Cole is an Alumnus of FBC,” he said.
He informed the gathering that the administration is planning to rehabilitate the volleyball, basketball, and lawn tennis courts. He added that the administration has plans to transform the Havelock field into a Mini Stadium.
DVC Mansaray noted that they want to make the whole squash court vicinity a sports complex.
“So if you could help us realize this dream, we will name the complex the NP Sports complex,” he said.
He looked forward to seeing the benefit the squash court could bring and encouraged everyone to use the infrastructure to live healthier life.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (15/05/23)
