By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
On July 28, 2025, the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE) and the OlympAfrica Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish an OlympAfrica Sports and Development Center in Kalangba, located in the Karene District of Northern Sierra Leone.
The signing ceremony took place at the NOC/CGA-SLE headquarters on Walpole Street in Freetown, attended by notable figures including Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima, Ibrahim Nylenkeh, Chairman of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Board, Director Momodu Alpha, Sports Ambassador Junior Bio, and other members of the Olympic community.
This MOU marks a mutual commitment to advancing Olympism, promoting sports for development, and empowering local communities in Sierra Leone. It highlights the urgent need to decentralize sports infrastructure and enhance youth engagement through physical education, talent development, and Olympic values. The agreement solidifies the collaboration between the OlympAfrica Foundation and NOC-SLE for the establishment of this second center.
During the ceremony, Alhassane Thierno Diack, Executive Director of the OlympAfrica Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing a second center to Sierra Leone. He extended his gratitude to Frank Turay, who generously donated land in his village for the project’s development. Diack emphasized the importance of role models, urging attendees to engage with youth and understand their aspirations.
He also highlighted that the OlympAfrica Sports and Development Center will benefit not only children but the entire community, pledging continued support for Sierra Leone.
NOC-SLE Secretary General Ahmed Khanou announced that the center will feature a track, a 40 by 70-meter playing field, a 100-seat conference area, and a 100-seat tribune for competitions. Additionally, it will include multi-purpose facilities for beach volleyball, basketball, and other sports.
Prince Vandy Sualley, President of NOC-SLE, expressed pride in the initiative, viewing it as a legacy for future generations. He acknowledged Diack’s critical role in securing both the first and second OlympAfrica projects, emphasizing the strategic significance of the land offered by Frank Turay.
Sualley reiterated his commitment to transforming the facility into a world-class training center for athletes, expressing gratitude to the Minister of Sports and the NSA Board Chairman for their presence at the signing.
Minister Augusta James-Teima thanked Diack for choosing Sierra Leone for the second OlympAfrica Center and expressed her enthusiasm for signing a document that supports sports development in the region. She noted that the project aligns with three of the government’s five agenda points: infrastructural development, human capital development, and job creation.
The MOU was symbolically signed by Diack and Sualley, with the ceremony witnessed by Minister Augusta James-Teima and Ibrahim Nylenkeh, underscoring a united effort towards enhancing sports and community development in Sierra Leone.