In a spirited show of corporate sportsmanship and national pride, Africell Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to youth sports by sponsoring the national under-18 volleyball team for the upcoming CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. The official signing ceremony took place on Friday, July 25, at Africellโs headquarters on Pivot Street, Wilberforce, Freetown.
The Continental Cup, organized by the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), serves as a qualification tournament for the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships, showcasing the continentโs top emerging talent. Sierra Leoneโs participation is both a testament to the countryโs rising volleyball profile and the outcome of years of strategic investment in the sport.
At the event, Africellโs CEO, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, highlighted the companyโs enduring partnership with the Volleyball Federation of Sierra Leone (VFSL).
โAfricell has a long and proud history of supporting volleyball in Sierra Leone. This is not just a one-off gesture; our involvement spans nearly 15 years, rooted in passion and consistency,โ Al-Gerjawi said. โSierra Leone has consistently brought home medals in volleyball, outpacing more popular sports like football and basketball. Just as Kenyans are known for running, we are making our mark in volleyball.โ
He expressed optimism that the U18 team, which will represent Sierra Leone on the continental stage, will continue that tradition of excellence. Africell, he assured, will remain a โsteadfast partnerโ in their journey.
The CEO’s remarks resonated with the volleyball community, especially the leadership of the VFSL, who were also present at the signing.
Ahmed Kanu, President of the VFSL, praised Africellโs unwavering support over the years, describing the telecom giant as โmore than a sponsor but a true partner in progress.โ
โSince 2008, Africell has stood by us, even when volleyball lacked the global limelight,โ Kanu noted. โThanks to their support, our teams have qualified for prestigious events like the World Championships in Poland and the Youth Games in Nanjing, China. It is a partnership that has consistently yielded results.โ
The VFSL president also spotlighted the Africell Beach Arena, a state-of-the-art facility constructed as part of the partnership, which now serves as the primary training and competition venue for beach volleyball in the country.
โOur team is not going just to participate. We are going to compete,โ Kanu said. โWe are aiming for medals, and with Africell by our side, we believe anything is possible.โ
The U18 team, consisting of some of Sierra Leoneโs most promising young athletes, will depart for Nigeria to compete against Africaโs best. A strong showing at the Continental Cup could secure the country a spot in the 2026 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships, further raising Sierra Leoneโs status on the global volleyball map.
Africellโs deep involvement in volleyball has been instrumental in developing the sport locally. From hosting training camps to sponsoring local tournaments and national team trips abroad, the company has helped keep the sport vibrant even in lean times.
The latest support comes on the heels of another successful engagement, with Africell previously celebrating Sierra Leoneโs basketball team for winning gold in regional competitions. The gesture, according to stakeholders, signals a broader corporate vision of uplifting youth through sports.
As the U18 beach volleyball team embarks on this journey, both Africell and the Volleyball Federation are united in their hope: to see the Sierra Leone flag fly high once again in continental and global competitions.
