Former Leone Stars captain Caulker and the Sierra Leone Football Association’s (SLFA) International Talent Developer, Morlai B. Kamara, have jointly announced the first-ever comprehensive Coaching and Youth Development Program.

The nationwide initiative, scheduled to begin in November, is designed to systematically identify and nurture the next generation of football stars. The program will tour four key regions—Kono in the East, Bo in the South, Makeni in the North, and Freetown in the Western Area—to scout talented players between the ages of 13 and 20. The event will also feature confirmed international scouts, aiming to connect local talent with global opportunities.

Explaining the project, Morlai B. Kamara described it as a “dynamic and immersive event that brings together coaches, scouts, and players for a multi-day experience focused on coaching development, scouting techniques, and talent identification strategies.”

“We’re aiming to create opportunities and support player development through coaching, scouting, talent identification and recruitment, while also making it a pathway for exposure and growth,” Kamara stated.

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The program will combine practical training sessions, workshops, and live assessments. Kamara detailed that the most successful participants could secure trials in Europe, while others will be enrolled in a continued development program within Sierra Leone. He also revealed that plans are underway to establish a permanent football academy in the country.

Kamara was direct about the current challenges facing local football, identifying a critical need for improved coaching methodologies. He emphasized a necessary shift in focus from short-term victories to long-term player development.

“Our focus is not only to recruit players for national teams, but also to identify players that have the potential to become better footballers in the future. We have the raw talents in Sierra Leone they only need proper training. We are failing because our talents are not properly coached,” the SLFA Talent Developer asserted.

He outlined systemic issues, including a lack of early access to quality coaching, an overemphasis on winning, and a significant gap between grassroots and elite-level coaching standards.

Despite these challenges, Kamara expressed strong belief in the program’s potential. “Youth development in football plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the most popular sport in the world. It goes beyond honing technical skills; it’s about nurturing young talents, instilling values, and fostering a passion for the game,” he affirmed.