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Sierra Leone’s under-16 basketball squad is set to compete at the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, thanks to renewed support from Africell Sierra Leone.
The telecoms giant has stepped in with financial assistance, ensuring the young athletes are fully prepared to showcase their talent on the continental stage from September 2–14.
The 12-nation tournament will not only crown Africa’s youth champions but also determine the two teams that will qualify for the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026 in Turkey.
According to the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF), Africell matched funds raised through a nationwide campaign, covering critical costs for travel, equipment, and team preparations.
Federation President Ali Hijazi hailed the company’s intervention as decisive. “Africell has consistently supported us from providing equipment to financial aid. Their backing continues to inspire our players and give hope to basketball fans nationwide,” he said.
Africell’s Media Relations Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay, described the initiative as part of the company’s broader commitment to youth development. “Sports go beyond competition.
They embody discipline, patriotism, and opportunity. By investing in these boys, we are investing in education, exposure, and their future,” he explained.
The Sierra Leone U16 team heads to Kigali buoyed by confidence after securing gold in the regional qualifiers in Guinea. Dressed in the national green, white, and blue, they aim not only to compete but also to gain invaluable experience against Africa’s top basketball talent.
Observers say the Africell–SLBF partnership highlights the power of private-sector investment in accelerating sports growth and building pathways for young athletes. For many of the players, the tournament represents not just a competition, but the beginning of a brighter future.
