Kingtom, Freetown – The grounds of Prince of Wales (POW) Secondary School erupted in cheers on Wednesday as alumni spanning five decades returned home to inaugurate the school’s first-ever Multi-Purpose Sports Complex – a crown jewel in its centenary celebrations.
The sparkling new facility, funded by global alumni networks, represents more than just concrete and paint. For Herbert Williams, an alumnus who flew in from Sydney, Australia, it’s the realization of a lifelong dream.
“This complex isn’t just about sports,” Williams told the cheering crowd, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s about showing current students that their POW family stretches across oceans and decades.”
The transformation comes amid a wave of alumni-led initiatives:
- 500 desks and chairs donated by OPWA USA after viral images showed students standing through lessons
- Annual infrastructure projects spearheaded by global chapters
- The sports complex as the centerpiece of POW’s 100-year legacy
“Last year we addressed classroom shortages,” said Ayodele Robertson of OPWA USA. “This year, we’re giving students space to run, compete, and build character.”
For SSS2 Science student Aiah Emmanuel Walker, the complex ends years of makeshift solutions:
“No more canceled matches because of poor fields! Now we can train like champions on our own turf,” he beamed, already envisioning inter-school tournaments.
The facility will host:
– Annual prize-giving ceremonies
– National debating competitions
– Basketball, volleyball, and athletics programs
Dr. Mineral Harris (’71-’72) sees the project as a baton pass between generations:
“When today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders, we want them to remember this moment – and pay it forward.”
With the April 2025 centenary celebrations approaching, the complex stands as both a milestone and a challenge – proof of what’s possible when alumni unite for their alma mater. BT/3/4/2025
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