Post a comment
The Sierra Leone national football team, the Leone Stars, embarked on a road journey from Freetown to neighboring Guinea to catch a connecting flight to the Ivory Coast, where they are set to face Chad in the qualifying rounds for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This unusual and arduous travel arrangement has sparked outrage among Sierra Leonean citizens and football critics, who are questioning the government’s commitment to supporting the national team.
In a surprising statement, government officials disclosed that there were insufficient funds to directly sponsor the team’s international travel. The Leone Stars had to travel by road to Guinea’s Conakry International Airport, despite Sierra Leone having its own international airport in Freetown. The team then flew from Guinea to the Ivory Coast, a route that critics argue is both inconvenient and humiliating for a national team representing Sierra Leone on an international stage.
“It’s a very big shame,” stated one local sports analyst, expressing the anger and frustration felt by many Sierra Leoneans. “Our national pride is being tarnished on the international stage due to lack of funding. We have an international airport, yet our national team has to travel by road, while players put their health and focus at risk.”
Many critics have also pointed to Babadi Kamara, a private individual and prominent football patron in Sierra Leone, who has frequently stepped in to provide financial support for the Leone Stars when the government has fallen short.
Kamara’s contributions, while appreciated, have raised further questions about the use of taxpayer funds in Sierra Leone. Amidst reports of the government collecting taxes from various business sectors, citizens are increasingly questioning why these funds are seemingly unavailable to cover the travel costs for a crucial national event.
The Freetown International Airport, recently refurbished to accommodate international flights and facilitate smoother travel, was expected to be an asset for both domestic and international travel for Sierra Leonean citizens and national teams alike. The current travel ordeal faced by the Leone Stars has sparked renewed debate over the airport’s functionality and accessibility.
“It’s a disgrace and a real setback for our national pride,” said one fan outside the National Stadium in Freetown. “We pay taxes, and this is how our national team is treated? Where is the accountability?”
Football enthusiasts, sports organizations, and citizens alike are calling for a transparent explanation from government officials. Many hope that the outcry will push for better treatment and reliable funding for the Leone Stars as they strive to represent Sierra Leone on the African stage.
