Shooting Stars of New Jersey present State soccer championship trophy to Minister Plenipotentiary

Posted by Cocorioko Newspaper on September 11, 20130 :

New Jersey’s Shooting Stars Football Club last Sunday presented the 2013 All-Sierra Leone Inter-State soccer championship trophy to Minister Plenipotentiary, Rev. Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu at the Caribbean Palace Hall in Somerset . The inimitable Shooting Stars won the trophy during a thrilling 16-state football tournament held in Maryland recently.

TEAM MANAGER MR. JOSEPH SALITO KAMARA PRESENTING THE TROPHY TO MINISTER KABS-KANU ; FAR RIGHT IS COACH TUNIS

Shooting Stars performed magnificently in the elimination series and qualified for the final with Virginia, whom they defeated 1-0 in a memorable grand finale.

THE TEAM MANAGER SHAKES HANDS WITH THE MINISTER BEFORE THE PRESENTATION

The cup was presented to the Minister by the Team Manager , Mr. Joseph Salito Kamara and the Coach, Mr. Mohamed Tunis, who were also accompanied by some other officials and players. Coach Tunis said that since the Minister is the highest Sierra Leonean government official in New Jersey, they decided to bring the trophy to him to show how they were busy promoting sports and Sierra Leone in the U.S. The SHOOTING STARS, he said , were very proud of their achievement and the victory was a big boost to New Jersey . He proudly stated that the team was developing fast and it is aspiring to win other major competitions.

ONE OF THE PLAYERS HOLDING THE TROPHY

One of the players of the team, Alfred Demby , a future professional star in the U.S, who is also determined to play for the Sierra Leone National Team, Leone Stars, said his aim is to help bring glory to Sierra Leone in the soccer arena.

THE TEAM MANAGER WITH THE TROPHY

Receiving the trophy, Rev. Kabs-Kanu praised the team highly for bringing the golden fleece to New Jersey. He said that the achievement was a manifestation of the commitment and hard work of the players, coach, team manager and other officials. He thanked them all and lauded the role that sports plays in uniting people and communities and promoting fine fellowship , healthy competitions and other desirable values. He wished the team all the best of luck in future competitions.

The minister also commended the organizers of the competition , noting that members of the Sierra Leone soccer association in America were worthy ambassadors of their country, who were busy projecting the image of their country in the Continental U.S . He praised the organizers for playing a valuable role in nurturing Sierra Leonean youth in the U.S.