June 7, 2018
By: Memunatu Bangura
President of the Sierra Leone Rugby Union, Jeremiah Pratt, has admitted that his Union is faced with financial challenges ahead of Africa Youths championship which is the qualifying tournament for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
With the Africa Youth Championship set to kick-off from 18th to 28th July 2018, President Pratt and his Union are far from making it to the tourney due to their current financial struggle.
“We are finding it difficult to secure financial support which is our major challenge ahead of the Africa tournament,” he said.
“We were given an invitation from the African Federation to take part for the first time in an Africa youth tournament which will also give us the opportunity to showcase our talent in a competitive game.”
Despite their financial struggle, Pratt revealed that the team was on intensive training as part of their preparation ahead of the qualifiers which he is highly optimistic of winning.
According to the Sierra Leone Ruby Union president, his team has been winning matches, citing their clash against neighboring, Guinea on 27th April 2017.
In what was described as a national, the Ruby president said: “I want to use this media to call on sports-loving Sierra Leoneans, and institutions to support the team in achieving their dreams and to qualify for the Youths Olympic Games.”
The President further pledged that they will promote and advertise the brand, label or the individual of the institutions that will sponsor the team during the games in Argentina.