News section
Reporting about sports from across Sierra Leone and the diaspora.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has presented an ex gratia payment of Le75,000 to the family of the late Bureh Ganso Koroma, a former Mighty Blackpool FC midfielder, fulfilling a key recommendation from an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The payment, announced in a press release dated 4 August 2026 and [...]
The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Colonel (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay, has called on the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and aviation operators to intensify preparations for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement held on August 3, 2026, at the [...] The post Transport Minister Urges SLCAA, Aviation Operators to Intensify Preparations for 2027 ICAO Safety Audit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has paid an ex gratia sum of Le75,000 to the family of the late Bureh Ganso Koroma, a former Mighty Blackpool Football Club player, as part of measures arising from the findings of an independent adhoc committee that investigated allegations of negligence surrounding his death. The payment was announced [...] The post SLFA Offers Le75,000 Ex Gratia Support to Family of Late Footballer Bureh Ganso Koroma appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Two Sierra Leonean referees, Aminata Fullah and Sulaiman Santio Kamara, have received appointments from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), according to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). Fullah has been appointed as Fourth Official for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 Group Stage match between Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, [...] The post Two Sierra Leonean Referees Receive CAF Appointments appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The dream of owning a house became a reality for Kenema resident, Abu Fomba after Mercury International Sierra Leone Limited, the country’s leading sports betting and lottery company, officially handed over the keys to a fully completed residential house won through its “Win Your Dream House” promotion. The official handover ceremony took place on Monday, [...]
Team Sierra Leone joined 74 other Commonwealth nations and territories at the official closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, held at the OVO Hydro Complex on Sunday evening. Despite not securing a medal, Sierra Leone’s athletes delivered commendable and historic performances, demonstrating resilience, determination, and national pride throughout the Games. The team competed [...] The post Team Sierra Leone Records Historic Performances at Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The Sierra Leone Premier League Board has announced that its 2025-26 Premier League Awards Night will be held on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. The announcement was made in a public notice released Monday by the Premier League Board, confirming plans for the annual event honoring outstanding performances and contributions during [...] The post Sierra Leone Premier League Board Sets Date for 2025-26 Awards Night appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone’s transport minister has urged aviation authorities and industry operators to intensify preparations for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organization safety oversight audit, saying the country must improve on its previous performance. During a high-level meeting with the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and representatives of aviation sector institutions, [...] The post Transport Minister Turay Urges Aviation Sector to Boost ICAO Audit Readiness Ahead of 2027 Assessment appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Secretariat staff presented President Babadi Kamara with a commemorative plaque, anniversary cards, and a cake on Aug. 2, 2026, marking his first year in office. The gesture, confirmed by the SLFA Media Department, expressed staff appreciation for his leadership and commitment to developing the game. Kamara, who won a [...] The post SLFA Staff Honor President Babadi Kamara on One Year Anniversary Commemoration appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Freetown, 21st July 2024. Jamaica has officially permitted citizens from Sierra Leone and 15 African countries to enter the Caribbean island without a visa. This was confirmed by the latest entry requirements published by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Jamaica, under Prime Minister Andrew Holness. This is welcome news for the Minister of [...]
Babadi Kamara on August 2, 2026 marked his first anniversary as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), capping a year defined by major sponsorship deals, governance reforms, and renewed international recognition for Sierra Leonean football. Kamara, who was elected on 2 August 2025 in a landslide victory with 43 votes at the Lungi [...] The post Babadi Kamara Marks One Year as SLFA President With Record of Reforms appeared first on Sierraloaded.
A privately financed public transportation project has moved closer to operation after 25 new buses cleared customs at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, paving the way for the launch of a service intended to improve commuter travel across Sierra Leone. The fleet was funded by philanthropist Mohamed Omodu Kamara, widely known as Jagaban, who invested $3 [...] The post Jagaban’s $3 Million Bus Fleet Set for Public Rollout After Clearance at Freetown Port appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Star Sports Academy FC has received support from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) ahead of its participation in the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, with the football governing body assuring the club of continued guidance throughout the continental campaign. The assurance was given during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Star Sports Academy, [...] The post Star Sports Academy Receives SLFA Backing Ahead of CAF Champions League Campaign appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has confirmed that all prize money for winners of its 2025/26 competitions has been fully paid, following the official crowning of champions across its major tournaments. The payments cover winners in both the men’s and women’s Premier Leagues, as well as the Orange FA Cup, marking the fulfilment of [...] The post SLFA Confirms Full Payment of Prize Money to Premier League and FA Cup Winners appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone has officially etched its name into African table tennis history after 17-year-old rising star Naomi Coker won a historic bronze medal in the Girls’ Under-19 Singles event at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships held at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, Ghana. The bronze medal marks Sierra Leone’s first-ever podium finish at [...] The post 17-Year-Old Naomi Coker Wins Sierra Leone’s First-Ever ITTF Africa Youth Medal appeared first on Sierraloaded.
British-Sierra Leonean athlete Jordan Aki-Sawyerr, son of Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, made a memorable debut for Sierra Leone at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Thursday, delivering a commendable performance in the Men’s Triple Jump event at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. Competing in Group A of the event, Aki-Sawyerr registered a best jump of 15.12 meters, [...] The post Jordan Aki-Sawyerr Makes Impressive Commonwealth Games Debut for Sierra Leone appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara has inspected the ongoing construction of a modern 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Football Academy (also known as the Technical Centre) in Kingtom, Freetown. The visit reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading football facilities across the country. The pavilion is a personal initiative fully funded by Kamara [...]
Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara has inspected the ongoing construction of a 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Football Academy in Kingtom, a project funded and donated by him to the Association. The inspection was witnessed by SLFA General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh and Deputy General Secretary Ishmail Saidu Kanu Esq., as the [...] The post SLFA President Inspects Construction of 435-Seater Pavilion at Football Academy appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone’s annual consumer price inflation climbed sharply to 14.77% in June 2026, up from 12.69% in May, according to official figures released by the Statistics Office. The 2.08 percentage point jump marks one of the steepest monthly increases this year, underscoring mounting pressures on households and businesses.
Sierra Leone international Mohamed Bai Kamara is set to make his competitive debut for FC Ryukyu as the Japanese J3 League side opens its season against Giravanz Kitakyushu on Saturday, August 8. The match will be played at the Okinawa Prefectural Athletic Stadium, marking a significant milestone for the 21-year-old defender since completing his move [...] The post Mohamed Bai Kamara Set for FC Ryukyu Debut in J3 League Opener appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Residents and motorists in Ngandon-Gbane, Kono District, are raising concerns over the worsening condition of a key road network that has become increasingly difficult to navigate, particularly during the rainy season. The road, which serves as a vital link for farmers, traders, and transport operators, has deteriorated significantly, disrupting the movement of goods and people [...] The post Residents Decry Deteriorating Road Conditions in Ngandon-Gbane, Kono District appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leonean sprinter Elma Sesay delivered her best performance of the 2026 season in the women’s 100m at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Competing at Scotstoun Stadium, Sesay clocked 12.28 seconds, a season-best time, to finish sixth in Heat 7. Canada’s Sade McCreath and Pierrick Linda Moulin secured the top two spots to qualify for [...] The post Elma Sesay clocks season’s best at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games first appeared on AYV Media Empire Sierra Leone, London, Ghana and Africa News Channel. The post Elma Sesay clocks season’s best at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games appeared...
By Ibrahim S. Bangura Kambia District, July 24, 2026: Residents of Bramaia Chiefdom in Kambia District say deteriorating road conditions are crippling transportation, trade, and agriculture, threatening the livelihoods of [...]
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has intensified preparations for the launch of the Sierra Leone Women’s Football Strategy, with FIFA Women’s Football Technical Expert, Thuba Sibanda, holding a virtual consultative meeting with Heads of Departments on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The meeting, conducted via Zoom, brought together departmental heads to develop a coordinated roadmap [...] The post Sierra Leone Women’s Football Poised for Historic Transformation Under New Strategy appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Waterloo FC President Kebbie Sesay has continued his football development journey with a visit to English Premier League giants Manchester City, as part of efforts to gain valuable knowledge and insights from one of the world’s most successful football institutions. The engagement forms part of Sesay’s broader commitment to improving football administration and development in [...] The post Waterloo FC President Visits Manchester City to Gain Global Football Insights appeared first on Sierraloaded.
, July 28, 2026 Every success story has a beginning. For Sierra Leonean volleyball player Ishmail Bangura, that beginning was not in a modern sports arena or a well-equipped training center. It started on dusty community courts in the eastern part of Freetown, where passion was the only thing he had in abundance. At [...] The post How Volleyball Changed Ishmail Bangura’s Life: From Dirt Courts to an American College Degree first appeared on AYV Media Empire Sierra Leone, London, Ghana and Africa News Channel. The post How Volleyball Changed Ishmail Bangura’s Life: From Dirt Courts to an Ame...
The Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) is facing mounting internal disputes just months before its scheduled elections in December, raising concerns about governance and unity within the sport.
Sierra Leonean athlete MO Fastest Buakei has reached a defining moment in his sporting journey after earning his IFBB Pro Card in Australia, marking his arrival as a professional bodybuilder on the international stage. The achievement follows an intense eight-week preparation programme that tested his physical strength, discipline, and mental determination. With his new professional [...] The post MO Fastest Buakei’s Sporting Evolution: From Sierra Leone’s Tracks and Courts to the Global Bodybuilding Stage appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Construction work on a 435-seater pavilion at the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Technical Centre in Kingtom is progressing steadily as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the facility and improve football development infrastructure in the country. The project was donated by the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Babadi Kamara, as part of [...] The post Construction of 435-Seater Pavilion Advances at SLFA Technical Centre in Kingtom appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Star Sport Academy has made history by becoming the first football club in Sierra Leone to officially appoint a Sports Psychologist. The club has appointed Mr. Yousouf Sillah as its Sports Psychologist and Mental Performance Coach, a move aimed at helping players improve their confidence, focus, and mental strength. Mr. Sillah will work with the [...] The post Star Sport Academy Makes Sierra Leone Football History with First Sports Psychologist appeared first on Sierraloaded.
GLASGOW, Scotland — Sierra Leone’s Halle Harris has etched her name into the country’s sporting history by becoming the first Sierra Leonean athlete to qualify for a swimming semifinal at the Commonwealth Games. The 19-year-old UK-based backstroker advanced to the women’s 50m backstroke semifinals on Monday after finishing fourth in Heat 4 with a time [...]
Sierra Leone’s swimming sensation Halle Harris has made history at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after becoming the first Sierra Leonean swimmer to reach a semifinal at the prestigious multi-sport event. Harris achieved the milestone on Monday, July 27, following a remarkable performance in the women’s 50m backstroke heats. Competing in Heat Four, the 19-year-old [...] The post Halle Harris Makes History as First Sierra Leonean Swimmer to Reach Commonwealth Games Semifinal appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leonean boxer Josefien Betist stands just one victory away from making sporting history as she prepares to step into the ring on Tuesday, 28 July, with the nation’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal within touching distance. The Irish-Sierra Leonean featherweight will face England’s Lucy Kings-Wheatley in the women’s 60kg quarter-final at Glasgow’s SEC Centre. Victory [...] The post One Win from History: Betist Eyes Sierra Leone’s First-Ever Commonwealth Games Medal appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Team Sierra Leone has been reminded that representing the nation goes beyond winning medals, as officials urged athletes to demonstrate discipline, commitment, and national pride during the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The message was delivered on Saturday, 25 July 2026, when government officials and sports leaders met with Team Sierra Leone at the [...] The post Commonwealth Games: Team Sierra Leone Urged to Uphold Discipline and National Pride in Glasgow appeared first on Sierraloaded.
On the Sidelines of the Commonwealth Games, the National Sports Authority (NSA) of Sierra Leone, led by Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, and his team, participated in a British e-sports Breakfast Roundtable Discussion in Glasgow, Scotland. The purpose of the engagement was to explore opportunities to establish and support e-sports in Sierra Leone and across [...] The post Sierra Leone Explores e-sports Expansion Following High-Level British e-sports Roundtable in Glasgow appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Sports, Hon. Madam Augusta James-Teima, visited the Tollcross International Swimming Centre on Friday to personally rally national swimmers as Team Sierra Leone participates in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Addressing the athletes poolside, the Minister urged them to embrace the magnitude of the moment while delivering an official message of encouragement on [...] The post Sports Minister, NSA Director Rally Swimmers Ahead of Commonwealth Games Challenge appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has successfully concluded its eight-day ferry operation in support of the 2026 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mid-Year Summit, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s reputation as a capable host of major international events while demonstrating the critical role of maritime transport in facilitating regional diplomacy and [...] The post SLPHA Showcases Maritime Excellence and Hospitality at 2026 ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has expressed profound appreciation to the country’s aviation community for its outstanding contribution to the successful management of air transport operations during the recent ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit, describing the achievement as a demonstration of professionalism, resilience and operational excellence. In a statement issued following the high-level regional [...] The post Sierra Leone Records Over 2,367 Air Passengers & 31 Flight Movements During ECOWAS Summit first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
Orange Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to customer engagement and community connection by hosting a spectacular B2C World Football Tournament Final Viewing at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The event attracted hundreds of football enthusiasts who gathered to watch one of the most anticipated matches in world football [...] The post Orange Brings Football Fans Together for an Unforgettable B2C World Football Tournament Final Viewing first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
Africell Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its position as one of the country’s leading corporate partners in national development after sponsoring more than 165 events across Sierra Leone between January and June 2026, benefiting over 30,000 people through initiatives focused on education, youth empowerment, entertainment, sports, religion, health and community development. The extensive sponsorship programme [...] The post Africell Sponsors Over 165 Events in Six Months Benefiting over Thirty Thousand People first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
The Sierra Leone Aquatics team has arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, to represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as the nation continues to make strides in international sporting competitions. The delegation, led by Sierra Leone Aquatics Federation President Mohamed Abdul Turay, features a mix of emerging talents and experienced swimmers, reflecting the federation’s commitment [...] The post Sierra Leone Aquatics Team Arrives in Glasgow for 2026 Commonwealth Games appeared first on Sierraloaded.
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced the appointment of FIFA Centre Referee Sulaiman Santio Kamara by WAFU Zone B to officiate at the WAFU B U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers scheduled for Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, from July 26 to August 9, 2026. The tournament will bring together seven West African countries Côte [...] The post Sierra Leonean Referee Sulaiman Kamara Gets Historic WAFU B Appointment appeared first on Sierraloaded.
Orange Sierra Leone once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening customer relationships beyond telecommunications by hosting a spectacular B2C World Football Tournament Final Viewing at Radisson Blu in Freetown, on the 19th July 2026. The event attracted hundreds of football enthusiasts who gathered to watch one of the biggest matches in world football in an [...]
Freetown, 21st July 2024. Jamaica has officially permitted citizens from Sierra Leone and 15 African countries to enter the Caribbean island without a visa. This was confirmed by the latest entry requirements published by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Jamaica, under Prime Minister Andrew Holness. This is welcome news for the Minister of [...]
Orange Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to customer engagement and community connection by hosting a spectacular B2C World Football Tournament Final Viewing at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The event attracted hundreds of football enthusiasts who gathered to watch one of the most anticipated matches in world football [...] The post Orange Sierra Leone Brings Football Fans Together for an Unforgettable B2C World Football Tournament Final Viewing first appeared on The Calabash Newspaper.
Africell Sierra Leone sponsored more than 165 events across the country between January and June 2026, reaffirming its position as one of Sierra Leone's leading corporate partners in education, entertainment, youth empowerment, sports, religion, health, and community development. For many Sierra Leoneans, Africell is not only the company that provides mobile connectivity, but also the brand that has become a familiar presence in classrooms, football fields, concert grounds, religious...