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Two young athletes from Freetown have earned spots on the Sierra Leone National U16 Basketball Team after just 18 months of training at the Sports Zone Pelican Program, hosted at the public basketball court initiated by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh.
Ishmael Sesay and Foday Sesay will now represent Sierra Leone in upcoming international competitions, including a tournament in Kigali. The Chief Minister, who spearheaded the court’s construction, described their achievement as “a testament to what young Sierra Leoneans can achieve when given the right opportunities and support.”
The Sports Zone Pelican Program provides young Sierra Leoneans with access to professional coaching in basketball, football, volleyball, and tennis. The program also emphasizes education, requiring participants to maintain at least a 95% school attendance record to enroll.
Since its launch, the program has supported a safe and structured environment for youth development, allowing players like Sesay and Sesay to quickly rise to national-level competition. Families, community members, and team managers are actively supporting the young athletes’ preparations for international play.
What was initially criticized as a political project has now produced national-level athletes, highlighting the potential of grassroots sports initiatives in Sierra Leone.
