November 26, 2015 By Sahr Morris Jr.
The Sierra Leone Volleyball Association (SLVA) Wednesday launched the Ary Graca African dream volleyball project at the National Stadium volleyball court.
The four years project, which is a volleyball development program for Africa, is aiming at tapping out young talents from schools at the ages of 6 to 14 years.
President of the SLVA, Christopher John, said he was delighted to have the project in the country, adding that it is closer to his heart and that is why they are targeting children, parents, schools, the media and other partners.
In his address on behalf of the Sports Ministry, Director of Sports Ibrahim Bangura expressed his delight about the project and pledged government’s support to work and promote the project for all to benefit.
He went on to appeal to SLVA to ensure that the right candidates benefit from the project. He said: “Please SLVA do ensure that kids, those who must benefit from this project are the ones to benefit. Let me also hasten to urge all other sporting disciplines to emulate the volleyball association.”
Deputy Minister of Education, Osmond Earl Sylvester Hanciles, in his keynote address said he was pleased with the project because it would enable the association to tap and train younger talents who could win gold medals for the country in future Olympic games.
He said: “I believe in 10 years to come with effectiveness we believe you will not only win gold medals but become World champions. I hope the coordinators will give their all to this project so that we can get the desired results.”
The official launching was preceded by a training programme for coordinators and sports journalists who will serve as monitors of the project.
Kaikai, who hailed from Sierra Leone, hopes to break into Alan Pardew’s first-team. That hope is on track with his current form in front of goal, with Tuesday’s night strike being his fifth goal in his last six games.