Alusine Fofanah represented Western Sydney Wanderers at the inaugural Africa Day celebrations at the annual Blacktown City Festival.
Alusine Fofanah was represented Western Sydney Wanderers at the inaugural Africa Day celebrations at the annual Blacktown City Festival.
As part of the Wanderers community work in partnership with University of Western Sydney, Fofanah was on hand to present a signed ball, talk with fans and meet some of the 50,000 residents of Western Sydney who attended the festival.
The talented young midfielder, originally from Sierra Leone, was welcomed by VIP-s including Kenyan High Commission Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, Vice Consul of Egypt Sydney Ahmed Farid, sponsors including MoneyGram, media including SBS Africa and Koori Radio Live n Deadly 93.7FM and a 300 strong African Community in and around the ‘African Quarter-, an area dedicated to promoting the African people, culture and heritage.
The highlight of the Africa Day programme was the 20-minute tribute to an inspirational world leader and Father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela and the Africa Day All Nations Parade representing some of the 54 countries of the African continent.
Western Sydney Wanderers Community, Pathway and Football Development Manager Tim Thorne said the club is proud to support this event.
“Football is the world game that can bring people together,” he said.
The Wanderers believe that all the wonderful cultures that live in Western Sydney are such an important and integral part of this region. We thoroughly support the Africa Day event and we are glad Fofanah could be part of the day.”
Public Officer and Executive of the Africa Day Council NSW Patricia Daniels said the Wanderers have made a difference in the community since their inception.
“We-re absolutely delighted to have Alusine Fofanah, one of Australia-s elite Hyundai A-League players here amongst us at the Africa Day Festival together with Blacktown City Council,” said Daniels.
“We want to thank the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC for providing our youth with inspiration and determination over the last two years in achieving such great success and would like to acknowledge the club and this wonderful young man for making this day a memorable one for the African community.”
Fofanah-s impressive achievements at such a young age drew applauses from the crowds at the Village Green stage, one of six stages set up around the Blacktown CBD.
Makka Krubally, winner of the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC signed ball, said that having an African playing for his home town team was inspiring for all new Australians.
“This young team started only two years and has been great for Western Sydney and having an African playing for that team says it all,” he said.
