By: Madi Seneghore
The Serekunda Central Mini Stadium was officially inaugurated on Sunday in a colourful ceremony marked by an inaugural football tournament sponsored by President Adama Barrow and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The event featured a four-team competition involving Bakau, Serekunda East, Serekunda West and Serekunda Central in celebration of the opening of the new facility.
In the first semi-final, Serekunda East defeated Bakau 1-0, with Bakary Sambu scoring the historic first official goal at the stadium in the 23rd minute.
In the second semi-final, Serekunda West and Serekunda Central played out a goalless draw before Serekunda West advanced 5-4 on penalties.
The shootout produced further historic milestones, with Muhammed Gibba of Serekunda Central becoming the first player to miss a penalty at the venue, while Lassana Touray of Serekunda West scored the first successful penalty.
In the final, Serekunda East and Serekunda West also ended 0-0 in regulation time, before Serekunda East clinched the tournament title with a 5-4 victory in a penalty shootout.
Serekunda East were thus crowned the first champions of the Serekunda Central Mini Stadium inaugural tournament following a tightly contested final.
The inauguration marks the official opening of the facility, which is expected to host future sporting activities in the municipality.