By Marion (Rion) Bangura
Africell Sierra Leone, in collaboration with NBA Africa, staged a two-day junior basketball clinic that brought together more than 350 pupils from primary and junior secondary schools across Freetown. Held on 16,17 April 2026 at the National Stadium Basketball Court in Brookfields, the clinic focused on introducing young learners to the fundamentals of basketball while creating a positive, encouraging environment for first-time players. The event is part of Africell’s broader youth development strategy and marks a significant step in expanding grassroots sports opportunities in Sierra Leone.
The programme concentrated on core basketball skills: dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork. Sessions were structured to be age-appropriate and accessible to beginners, with experienced coaches guiding small groups through drills and game like scenarios. Coaches emphasized repetition, fun, and positive reinforcement to build confidence and basic technique. Beyond technical instruction, the clinic included short talks on sportsmanship, discipline, and the value of consistent practice.
Kamanda Koroma, Marketing and Communications Manager at Africell Sierra Leone, framed the clinic as more than a one-off event. He said the initiative reflects Africell’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment through sports and community engagement. Koroma highlighted that the company is investing in platforms that nurture talent across disciplines and that basketball, as a rapidly growing global sport, offers unique opportunities for mentorship and personal development. He stressed that the partnership with NBA Africa is intended to be sustained and developmental rather than merely promotional.
Representing NBA Africa, Madam Belicent described the clinic as a milestone and the organization’s first collaboration with Africell in Sierra Leone. She underlined the alignment between NBA Africa and Africell on values such as youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community development. Belicent reiterated NBA Africa’s commitment to strengthening grassroots basketball across the continent and to supporting programmes that create pathways for young athletes.
Ali Hijazi, President of the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation, praised the initiative as an important contribution to the national basketball development pipeline. He commended Africell and NBA Africa for their support and urged continued collaboration to ensure regular, structured opportunities for young players. Hijazi encouraged participants to apply the skills they learned and expressed optimism that similar programmes would be rolled out more widely.
Africell also disclosed a recent partnership with the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation, signaling plans to deepen collaboration with NBA Africa and expand youth participation nationwide. The combined efforts of a telecommunications company, a continental sports organisation, and the national federation create a multi layered support system that can address coaching, facilities, and talent identification. For many pupils, the clinic provided rare access to quality coaching and exposure to structured training methods that are often limited at the grassroots level.
Organisers emphasized that the benefits of the clinic extend beyond athletic skill. Basketball was presented as a vehicle for mentorship, discipline, teamwork, and confidence building. For young participants, the structured environment and positive role models offered by coaches and organisers can translate into improved school performance, better social skills, and clearer aspirations. Parents and teachers who attended parts of the clinic noted the enthusiasm and focus shown by the children, suggesting the programme’s potential to foster long-term engagement.
Africell and NBA Africa signalled intentions to scale the programme, with plans to reach more communities and to integrate follow up activities that sustain interest and development. The Sierra Leone Basketball Federation’s involvement is expected to help formalise talent pathways and to coordinate future clinics, leagues, and coaching education. Stakeholders called for continued investment and partnership to ensure that the momentum generated by the clinic leads to consistent opportunities for young athletes.
The two-day clinic in Freetown represents a meaningful investment in Sierra Leone’s youth and in the future of basketball in the country. By combining technical training with mentorship and community engagement, Africell, NBA Africa, and the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation have laid groundwork for a stronger grassroots system. For the more than 350 pupils who took part, the clinic offered new skills, fresh motivation, and a glimpse of the possibilities that sport can unlock.
