More than 350 young athletes in Freetown have received hands-on basketball training following a two-day junior clinic hosted by Africell Sierra Leone in partnership with NBA Africa.
The clinic, held from April 16–17 at the National Stadium Basketball Court, brought together pupils from primary and junior secondary schools for an intensive introduction to the fundamentals of the game. Participants were guided through structured drills focusing on dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork, under the supervision of experienced coaches.
Speaking during the programme, Kamanda Koroma said the initiative reflects Africell’s continued commitment to youth development through sports. He noted that the company is investing in platforms that nurture talent, with increasing attention on sports as a vehicle for empowerment and growth.
Koroma described basketball as one of the fastest-growing sports globally, adding that the collaboration with NBA Africa is designed to support long-term development rather than one-off engagement. He emphasized that beyond physical fitness, sports serve as a powerful tool for mentorship, discipline, and personal development among young people.
He also disclosed that Africell recently partnered with the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation to strengthen local promotion of the sport, with plans to deepen collaboration with NBA Africa in expanding opportunities for youth participation.
A representative of NBA Africa, Belicent, described the clinic as a significant milestone, marking the organization’s first collaboration with Africell in Sierra Leone. She said the partnership reflects shared values around youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, reaffirming NBA Africa’s commitment to grassroots basketball development across the continent.
Also addressing participants, Ali Hijazi, president of the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation, highlighted the importance of sustained investment in youth sports. He commended both Africell and NBA Africa for supporting the initiative, noting that it represents a crucial step in strengthening the country’s basketball pipeline.
Hijazi urged the young athletes to apply the skills learned during the clinic and expressed optimism that similar programmes would be expanded nationwide.
The initiative forms part of Africell’s broader strategy to promote basketball development in Sierra Leone, equipping young players with essential skills while fostering teamwork, confidence, and discipline among the next generation of athletes.
