By Dadson A Musa
President of the Sierra Leone Basketball Association (SLBA), Alie Hijazi, has described the recent distribution of basketballs at the Sports Zone as a major milestone for the growth of the sport in the country.
Speaking during a special engagement on Wednesday, Hijazi revealed that the SLBA received three hundred (300) basketballs from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) following a formal request; the first time such a quantity has been provided to Sierra Leone.
According to him, the balls will be distributed to both male and female teams across the country as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots development and support clubs ahead of the new season.
“We want to start this season very strong and send a clear message that we support all our teams and players,” Hijazi said. “You can not develop basketball without basketball.”
To mark the occasion, the SLBA organized a friendly exhibition game, inviting teams, coaches, and club owners to witness the event and receive their allocations.
Sierra Leone currently has nineteen (19) active basketball clubs competing in Division One, Division Two, and female categories. Ten clubs run all three teams, while others operate in two divisions. Hijazi noted that this is the largest number of basketballs the association has ever had, calling it “a strong foundation for grassroots development.”
Out of the total, forty (40) balls have been set aside for schools, eight (8) for the Sports Zone, while referees and all four regions North, South, East, and West will also benefit.
Hijazi announced that the league will begin soon, adding that a basketball gala was recently held at Slams Basketball Court the first of its kind in the east of Freetown. Plans are also underway for referees’ clinics, coaches’ training, and other development programs in collaboration with FIBA.
Reflecting on the 2025 season, he described it as successful and impactful, with achievements in league organization, international matches, clinics, and youth camps. However, he admitted that financial challenges affected international travel, with the team sometimes competing with limited players.
He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation with the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee (NOC), and other stakeholders will improve support in 2026.
Our focus is to let the league play, observe the quality, and plan intentionally for the future, Hijazi said, we are confident that 2026 will be even better.
Officials from the Ministry of Sports and the NSA, including Director of Participation and Sustainable Sport Steven Keifala and Director of Sports Haroun Mustapha Korgi, were present at the event.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 9th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
