Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Sports has received the Golden Championship Trophy from the Sierra Leone Basketball Association (SLBA) and the national U-16 basketball team, following the country’s first-ever victory at the U-16 Africa Championship Tournament held in Conakry, Guinea.
The official presentation ceremony, which marked a milestone in Sierra Leone’s sporting history, was led by SLBA President Ali Hijazi and attended by officials from the Ministry of Sports, including the Minister, Madam Augusta James-Teima.
During the event, Hijazi detailed the challenges the team faced in the lead-up to the tournament. These included issues surrounding player eligibility and age verification, which led to the disqualification of several team members.
“Some of the boys did not use their real age and didn’t want to get embarrassed,” Hijazi explained, citing a series of internal screenings conducted in Guinea. “We chose integrity over shortcuts. Rather than risk embarrassment or penalties from FIBA, we conducted our own assessments and only proceeded with eligible players.”
Despite fielding a reduced squad of six players half the size of most opposing teams, Sierra Leone defied expectations to win the championship. Hijazi credited the team’s determination, the coaches’ dedication, and support from the Ministry of Sports and sponsors as crucial to the success.
“This is a first for Sierra Leone,” he noted. “We’ve received international recognition, and our players’ families are proud. This victory has changed the perception of basketball in the country.”
Looking ahead, Hijazi confirmed that the team is preparing for another major milestone: participation in the U-16 African Championship in Rwanda, scheduled for September 2025.
Receiving the trophy on behalf of the government, Minister Augusta James-Teima praised the team and the SLBA for their resilience and achievement, despite limited resources.
“You’ve made the country proud. This wasn’t an easy journey, and the leadership demonstrated by the Basketball Association is commendable,” she said. “This victory will strengthen the case for more investment in basketball and other underfunded sports.”
The Minister acknowledged that basketball has historically received less attention compared to other sports but expressed hope that this success would trigger a shift in priorities.
“You’re representing our nation, and you’ve done so with excellence. We will do our part to ensure you receive the recognition and support you deserve.”
James-Teima also thanked Africell for sponsoring the team’s travel to Guinea, as well as her staff at the Ministry for their support throughout the process.
As the team turns its focus to future competitions, the U-16 victory has injected new energy into Sierra Leone’s basketball scene, with stakeholders optimistic about the sport’s potential on both continental and global stages.
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