By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC), on Friday, 6 February 2026, successfully held a Turning of the Sod ceremony at the OlympAfrica Centre in Kalangba, Romende Chiefdom, Karene District, North-Western Sierra Leone, marking a major milestone in community and sports infrastructure development.
The well-attended event brought together traditional authorities, government officials, sports administrators, and community members. Among the dignitaries present were the Vice President of the NOC, Mr. Idrissa Massaquoi; the Chiefdom Speaker of Romende Chiefdom, Mr. Zachariah Kanu; Paramount Chief Dr. Kanu; and several Section Chiefs of the chiefdom.
Other notable personalities included the Vice President I of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA); His Worship the Mayor of Port Loko Municipality, Councillor Alie Badara Tarawally, accompanied by the North-West Regional Chairman, Mr. A. O. Turay; the Secretary General of the NOC, Mr. Ahmed Khanou; and Media Officer I of the Sierra Leone Police, Lunsar Divisional Headquarters.
Declaring the purpose of the project, the Director of the OlympAfrica Centre, Mr. Frank Turay, highlighted the historical background of the initiative and his personal contribution towards its realisation. He recalled the vision behind the OlympAfrica programme and reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment through sports, noting that the land for the project was generously donated by him to the NOC to support sustainable sports development.
In his address, the Vice President of the NOC, Mr. Idrissa Massaquoi, outlined the scope and key components of the project, emphasising its importance to the Kalangba community and the wider region. He explained that the centre would enhance sports infrastructure, promote Olympic values, and contribute meaningfully to national development by nurturing young talent and fostering social cohesion.
Delivering a message on behalf of the chiefdom elders and authorities, Chiefdom Speaker Mr. Zachariah Kanu expressed appreciation to the NOC and its partners for selecting Romende Chiefdom for the project. He assured the committee of the community’s full support, cooperation, and protection of the facility to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The keynote address was delivered by His Worship Mayor Alie Badara Tarawally, who commended the NOC for extending sports development initiatives to rural communities. He described the project as timely and transformative, noting that sports remain a powerful tool for youth engagement, peacebuilding, and community development.
In his contribution, the North-West Regional Chairman, Mr. A. O. Turay, pledged sports equipment to the people of Kalangba and announced support for the first-ever Romende Chiefdom football tournament scheduled for December. His announcement was met with excitement and applause from community members.
The ceremony was colourfully climaxed with cultural performances, including traditional bubu music by Amidu’s group and rhythmic clapping by local women, reflecting the community’s joy and sense of ownership of the project.
The Turning of the Sod ceremony at Kalangba represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the NOC’s strategic plan and reinforces the growing visibility of the Olympic movement in Northern Sierra Leone.
