By Ishmael Zay-Bangura

Freetown, 4th February 2026– While the roar of football crowds may dominate the popular imagination, a quiet revolution is unfolding on the beaches, courts, and pitches of Sierra Leone. Disciplines like volleyball, cricket, and basketball are increasingly becoming the nation’s most reliable ambassadors on the international stage, delivering competitive results that have captured global attention.

This growing success story highlights an untapped opportunity. With targeted support, these sports could not only enhance their own prospects but also fundamentally transform Sierra Leone’s sporting ecosystem.

Often operating in the shadow of football, Sierra Leone’s volleyball teams have consistently punched above their weight in international arenas. The national beach volleyball team provided one of the most notable recent achievements, being the only discipline from Sierra Leone’s contingent to reach the quarter-finals at the prestigious All Africa Games. This success is not an isolated event. The national teams have achieved impressive world rankings, with the men’s beach volleyball team once ranked sixth in Africa and fifteenth globally, and the women’s team tenth in Africa.

Institutional strength is also growing. Sorrie Kamara, a leader in volleyball development, has gained international recognition from the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He now serves as a local instructor for Sierra Leone’s National Olympic Committee and is paving his way to become an international instructor. His work on FIVB-approved knowledge transfer projects is helping to build a sustainable coaching framework nationwide.

Speaking on the constraints facing volleyball, Ansumana Bangura, Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Volleyball Federation (SLVF), explained: “Because of the lack of structure and finance, volleyball performance is inconsistent.”

Cricket, with its colonial history in the country, is experiencing a powerful resurgence and has established itself as a regular fixture in international competitions. Since gaining T20 International (T20I) status in 2019, the national teams have been remarkably active.

The 2026 schedule alone showcases several intense international engagements:

  • The senior men’s team will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier against nations like Kenya and Botswana.
  • The U19 women’s team is set for the World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier in Kenya.
  • An expansive series of tours and qualifiers are planned for the U17 boys, the U19 men’s team, and the senior Ladies Patriots, spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, and Rwanda.

This packed calendar demonstrates that cricket is already operating at a high level of international participation, offering a clear pathway for global success.

Addressing one of cricket’s toughest constraints, funding, Samuel Pearce, Head of Media for Cricket Sierra Leone, told Truth Sport that a basket fund was created to support sporting disciplines like theirs, but they are yet to fully benefit from it.

Basketball is also making strides. While the national team, nicknamed “The Diamonds,” is still working towards its first major tournament qualification, its potential is being recognized through valuable international partnerships. The under-16 team competed in the Afrobasket tournament in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025. The team has also gained attention from global brands like German sportswear supplier K1X, which has sponsored the team, designed its federation logo, and featured Sierra Leone-inspired collections in international magazines.

This model of commercial and brand partnership is a unique form of international support that provides both resources and visibility, setting a foundation for future athletic development.

The narrative of Sierra Leonean sport is expanding beyond the football pitch. As volleyball, cricket, and basketball continue to bring recognition and results from international competitions, they present a compelling case for focused investment. Such support is not merely an investment in individual sports but in a broader vision for Sierra Leone, a vision where diverse athletic excellence fuels national pride, inspires youth, and carves out a new and formidable identity on the world’s sporting stage.