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Riding the Waves: Young Sierra Leonean Surfer Making Strides at River Number Two

By: Desmond Paine ,  Sports Correspondent and Founder of Sport For Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone / Netherlands  During a recent visit to the stunning River Number Two Beach, renowned for its golden sands and rolling turquoise waves, I had the pleasure of meeting a rising star in Sierra Leone’s burgeoning surf scene.  Ali Sesay, a talented surfer hailing from the picturesque Bureh Beach on the Western Area Peninsula of Freetown, shared his inspiring journey filled with passion, progress, and newfound international connections through the exhilarating sport of surfing. Ali’s journey began at the Bureh Beach Surf Club, where his natural talent for riding the waves quickly became apparent.  He made a remarkable debut during Sierra Leone’s inaugural surfing competition at the club, where he clinched an impressive third place, showcasing both his skill and determination amongst his peers. Now, entrenched in the vibrant surf culture at River Number Two Beach, Ali is honing his craft wit...

Lady Patriots Make History: Sierra Leone’s Women’s Cricket Team Secures Unbeaten Triumph in Botswana

By: Alhaji A. Barrie The Sierra Leone Senior Women’s Cricket Team, the Lady Patriots, has cemented its place in history with an undefeated run at the BCA Kalahari Women’s T20i Tournament in Botswana.  Their seven-match winning streak was a showcase of skill, teamwork, and unwavering determination, culminating in a 39-run victory against host nation Botswana in the final.   This triumph isn’t just a sporting milestone, it’s a defining moment for women’s cricket in Sierra Leone.  With a boosted ICC Women’s T20i ranking, the team is now poised for greater international recognition, expanding opportunities for female athletes across the country.   Anne Marie Monica Kamara, Aminata Kamara, and Emma Kamara dominated the bowling charts, while Marie Turay set the benchmark for fielding excellence. Aminata Kamara’s MVP title further highlights the team’s overall dominance.   With their NWACC standing redefined, Sierra Leone’s champions are now setting their sights on the July ICC Qualifier, rea...

Renewed Hope for Youth: StarBurst Park Champions Sports Development in Makeni Northern Sierra Leone

By Desmond Paine,  Sports Correspondent and Founder, Sport For Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone / Netherlands StarBurst Park, a vibrant and state-of-the-art sports complex in Sierra Leone, is rapidly emerging as a beacon of hope and opportunity for aspiring young athletes across the nation.  In a landscape where the spotlight often shines solely on football and entertainment venues, the park's visionary founder, Ibrahim Kanu, is boldly carving out a different path, one that begins with the thrilling sport of basketball.  During a recent visit to the facility, Kanu passionately articulated his love for basketball.  “Basketball is a beautiful sport, and my familiarity with the game allows me to better understand what is necessary to cultivate its growth through the StarBurst program,” he shared with infectious enthusiasm.  His ambitious vision is to leverage basketball as a gateway to foster a rich, diverse sporting culture throughout the region. However, basketball is merely one ...

Sierra Leone Police arrests "Guinean fugitive in coordinated operation"

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  The Sierra Leone Police have arrested Guinean fugitive Musa Jalloh, who is wanted for armed robbery and murder. Jalloh was apprehended on April 27, 2025, in a targeted operation led by Sierra Leone’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Freetown.   According to authorities, Jalloh allegedly killed a Guinean national and stole a 2024 Toyota Range Rover before fleeing to Sierra Leone. Acting on intelligence received through INTERPOL’s I24/7 system, law enforcement agencies monitored his movements, leading to his swift and seamless capture.   Detective Chief Superintendent Jenevieve Tity Cowan, Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Freetown, confirmed that Jalloh was intercepted without incident and that the stolen vehicle had been recovered.   CSP Cowan stressed the importance of international law enforcement collaboration in addressing cross-border crime.  The Guinean Police Chief commended the Sierra Leone Police for their rapid response and dedication to jus...

Sierra Leone's Women Cricket Team Eyes Kalahari Cup

By: Alhaji A. Barrie Sierra Leone’s Senior Women’s Cricket Team, The Ladies Patriots stands on the brink of glory as they prepare for the BCA Kalahari Women’s T20 Cup final today in Gaborone, Botswana. Having dominated the competition with six consecutive wins, the team’s commanding performances against Mozambique (six-wicket win) and Botswana (67-run victory) have solidified them as strong contenders for the coveted trophy. The tournament has also seen outstanding individual performances from the Sierra Leone squad. Captain Aminata Kamara, with 120 runs, is a frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, while Anne Marie Kamara leads the bowling charts with 11 wickets. In the field, Marie Turay has been exceptional, securing seven dismissals, earning her the title of best fielder in the tournament. These efforts have highlighted the team's depth and unwavering commitment to success. Winning the prestigious Kalahari Cup would mark a defining moment for Sierra Leonean cric...

Connectivity Challenges Persist in Sierra Leone’s Gola Rainforest Despite Nationwide 4G Expansion

By: Desmond Paine  Even in the face of remarkable improvements in national mobile coverage, the residents of the Gola Rainforest region in eastern Sierra Leone find themselves grappling with significant connectivity challenges that threaten their safety and hinder emergency response efforts. The National Communications Authority (NCA) reports an impressive 75.30% 4G coverage across the country, with both 2G and 3G networks readily available in urban and many rural areas.  However, this progress leaves some corners of Sierra Leone, particularly the remote rainforest enclaves, in the shadows.  In these isolated communities, especially those nestled near the Gola Rainforest National Park, villagers often embark on treacherous treks to elevated vantage points, enduring steep climbs just to catch a glimpse of a reliable mobile signal. “The picture shared with this report captures the solitary spot in our area where we can consistently access mobile networks,” explained a local source, gestu...

Ady Macauley Sympathizes with Crab Town, Aberdeen Fire Victims

By Alhaji Musa Bah In a touching show of solidarity, top-prominent 2028 APC Flagbearer Aspirant, Ady Macauley visited victims of a devastating fire that swept through Crab Town, Aberdeen, on Thursday 17th April, 2025 night.  The inferno, which ravaged the densely populated community, displaced over fifty families and wiped out countless investments. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Ady Macauley, known for his deep community ties, immersed himself in the situation, personally reaching out to victims and offering heartfelt sympathy. Speaking not just as a public figure, but as a “brother, son, neighbour, and everything,” Macauley comforted affected residents, sharing in their pain and offering words of encouragement during their time of distress. His actions on the ground reflect a leader whose aspirations are rooted in empathy, humility, and a profound sense of duty to the people he seeks to serve.  Rather than standing at a distance, Macauley chose to walk among the victims, listen to t...