AYV News, July 9, 2025
Africell Sierra Leone has bolstered the nation’s sporting hopes by sponsoring the national Under-16 basketball team ahead of the FIBA AfroBasket Zone 2 Qualifiers in Conakry, Guinea. The official sponsorship signing took place at the company’s headquarters on Pivot Street, Wilberforce.
The event, attended by top officials of the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF), players, media representatives, and stakeholders, marked a significant moment in Sierra Leone’s youth sports development.
The AfroBasket U16 is Africa’s top youth basketball tournament, organised by FIBA Africa, and serves as a gateway to the prestigious FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. The Zone 2 qualifiers feature teams from across West Africa—including Senegal, Guinea, Mali, and Sierra Leone—regions known for producing top-tier talent.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Africell’s Chief Operating Officer, Malek El Koussa, said the sponsorship extends beyond corporate responsibility and speaks to Africell’s belief in youth potential.
“This team represents not just themselves but the aspirations of an entire nation,” he noted. “Supporting youth in sports is about investing in discipline, teamwork, and national pride.”
El Koussa referenced Africell’s longstanding support for the SLBF, including the launch of Sierra Leone’s first national basketball league. He praised the Federation’s efforts and pledged continued support for initiatives that develop young athletes.
SLBF President Ali Hijazi, in his address, lauded Africell for its unwavering commitment to basketball in Sierra Leone.
“They’ve been with us from the beginning—providing jerseys, equipment, and more during difficult times,” Hijazi stated. “Their support has raised the profile of basketball in this country and inspired players and fans alike.”
Also speaking at the event, Nancy Toure, Africell’s Event and Sponsorship Manager, emphasised the importance of supporting diverse sports beyond football.
“Our involvement in basketball reflects our broader mission to uplift communities through education, parenting, and sports,” she said. “These young boys have what it takes to make Sierra Leone proud.”
Ishmeal Bangura, Secretary General of the SLBF, highlighted Africell’s role in supporting efforts to build Sierra Leone’s first indoor basketball gym.
“At a time when the U16 team faced exclusion from regional competitions due to funding gaps, Africell intervened—providing kits, refurbishing the national court, and making participation possible,” he said.
The U16 team, now heading to Guinea with high hopes, recently secured a silver medal in a preparatory tournament and are aiming for qualification to the final competition in Rwanda later this year. Africell’s contribution, officials say, has been more than financial—it has been motivational, symbolic, and vital.
As Sierra Leone carves out its place on Africa’s basketball stage, the Africell-SLBF partnership is being hailed as a shining example of how corporate investment can spur youth development and national pride.
