By Amara Thoronka
Sierra Leone Mixed Martial Arts Association (SLMMAA) in collaboration with Bum Enterprise on Thursday 13th May 2021 staged a huge and memorable talent exposition show at the Brima Atouga Mini Stadium to help young people discover and unleash their inherent abilities.
Explaining the purpose of the event, the President of SLMMAA who doubles as Chief Executive Officer of ‘Spot the Talents in Youths and Entertainment,’ Saidu Sesay said the talent exhibition programme was to establish a platform for young people to showcase their talents in entertainment, martial arts and sport. “We all have talents, either in entrainment, sport, martial arts, art and craft and other forms of creativity. All that is needed is the platform, support and encouragement; and that is why the SLMMAA collaborated with Bum Enterprise to give unnoticed but very talented young Sierra Leoneans the platform to show their gifts to the world.”
The SLMMAA President added that his dream and passion is to promote sport and entertainment because sport has been promoting him too. “Everything I have today is because of sport; so to me, supporting people in sport and entertainment is promoting my country on the one hand and giving back to sport on the other,” he emphasised.
He acknowledged and showered praises on his martial art training instructor, Yusuf Koroma, now Head of Technical Team for SLMMAA; stressing that Instructor Koroma trained and encouraged him to take martial art seriously. “Because I adhered to the advice of my instructor, I was able to represent my country internationally with enviable laurels to show for such representation. On that note, I advise all talented young people to put away ego, high temperament and embrace wise cancelling and correction,” he advised.
He reiterated that many talents have been destroyed due to pride and ego; adding that anyone who wants to succeed in something should be willing to learn under the right mentorship.
The masters of ceremony (MCs) Jemilatu Wurie and Ishmael Jay Juana aka DJ Jeasy described the SLMMAA President, Saidu Sesay also known as ‘Awuah’ as a disciplined, kind, philanthropic and patriotic Sierra Leonean who wants to see massive development in mixed marshal arts and entertainment in Sierra Leone.
Making a statement, Head of Technical Team of SLMMAA, Yusuf Koroma said he was happy to see someone he trained (Saidu Sesay) return to the country to promote young talents. “Martial art is a great discipline as it trains both the body and mind to do the right thing at all times. It should not be used to bully others, but rather to defend oneself and others when it is reasonably necessary to do so. So those who want to build a career in martial art should be mindful of such advice,” he cautioned.
On entertainment generally, over a hundred young talented people into music, make-up, dancing, movie or drama, art and craft, modelling, stand-up comedy and many more were given the avenue to display their talents.
On martial arts, twenty young fighters were given the platform to demonstrate their fighting skills and abilities on the one hand and gain professional experience on the other. The fighting contest was strictly officiated by seasoned, uncompromising and acclaimed martial arts instructors with considerable years of experience in the sporting discipline.
The young fighters and other entertainers expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to SLMMAA and Bum Enterprise for giving them the platform to feel relevant in society and professionalize their talents. They craved on the SLMMAA and Bum Enterprise to continue promoting them and other undiscovered entertainers in the country.
Responding to the plea of the young entertainers, President of SLMMAA, Saidu Sesay and the CEO of Bum Enterprise, Kaetu Susan Karim assured the entertainers that they will continue to promote them and other undiscovered entertainers across the country.
The event was characterized by amazing lyrics, emotion, passion, euphoria and expressions of fulfilment.
The admins of “Spot the Talent in Youths and Entertainment” are Saidu Sesay, Kaetu Susan Karim, Jamilatu Wurie, Ishmael Jay Juana and Lee Cent.
