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The Minister of Sports, Augusta Teima, on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, hosted the President of the Africa-Youth Cup, Godson Abba Ekadi, during an official visit aimed at assessing the country’s readiness to host the 2026 Africa Youth Cup.
President Ekadi arrived in Sierra Leone as part of final evaluation activities ahead of the international youth football tournament scheduled for April 2026. The competition is expected to bring together leading football academies from across Africa and place Sierra Leone on the continental sports calendar.
A high-level coordination meeting was convened at the Ministry of Sports in Freetown, hosted by Minister Teima, to align national stakeholders involved in the planning and delivery of the tournament. The meeting brought together senior government officials and representatives from key institutions connected to sports, youth development, tourism, and education.
According to officials present, discussions focused on critical areas including logistics, infrastructure, coordination mechanisms, and youth engagement. Participants reached a unanimous understanding on the need for strong collaboration to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament.
President Ekadi commended the level of institutional cooperation demonstrated by Sierra Leonean authorities. He described the Africa Youth Cup as a platform with benefits beyond football, emphasizing its wider social and national impact.
“This event transcends football. It represents unity, opportunity, and national pride for the host country and all participating nations,” Ekadi said during the meeting.
He further noted that the tournament would promote youth empowerment, cultural exchange, and international visibility for Sierra Leone, while providing opportunities for young players to be seen by scouts and football development partners across the continent.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by all stakeholders to deliver a professionally managed and memorable event that reflects Sierra Leone’s capacity and excellence as host nation.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy Ministers of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Tourism, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), and the National Sports Authority.
The 2026 Africa Youth Cup is expected to attract top football academies, scouts, and visitors from across Africa, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s growing profile as a destination for international sports and youth development initiatives.
