Sadio Mane builds stadium in hometown
Al Nassr star player, Sadio Mane has built and officially opened a stadium constructed to FIFA standards – Stade De Bambali, in his Senegalese hometown, Bambali. The Senegalese national team captain donated the stadium to the locals, paying for all of the costs out of his own pocket.
Several notable Senegalese came to the opening ceremony to congratulate Mane on realising the exceptional initiative.
It’s interesting to note that Mane was observed playing in a dirty, muddy pitch in Bambali in 2022. After pictures from that game went viral, the Senegalese football player pledged to pay for the construction of a stadium for the people living in his hometown.
“I am really very happy to be with you today and to welcome you to my home, to my native village of Bambali, where it all began,” said Mane to Wiw Sport.
“It is with immense pride and a heart full of joy that I stand before you on this FIFA standard football field, which has a lot of meaning for me. This is not just a gift from me to my beloved village. Above all, it is the symbol of our unity, our strength and our passion for football,” he added.
Mane, 31, is enjoying a great season in Saudi Arabia. In 26 games for Al-Nassr in all competitions, he has scored 12 goals. He’s currently preparing to lead Senegal in defending the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title with as they prepare for the 2023 edition which kicks off January 13 in Ivory Coast.
He has also built a £455,000 hospital in Senegal, built a mosque, provided financial support for whole families in his village, donated £250,000 to build a school, and £41,000 to help fight coronavirus etc.
The Senegalese has been recognised for his humility, and commended for his gold standards in charitable works in his home country.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
