By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) has pledged a record $150,000 sponsorship to Sierra Leone’s Premier League for the 2024/2025 season. The agreement, formalized at a ceremony in Freetown, marks the largest private-sector investment in the league’s history and signals a significant boost for football development in the country.
Mohamed S. Daffae, LRMG’s Human Resource Director, described the sponsorship as a commitment to nurturing local talent and advancing the professional football scene. “This partnership reflects our shared passion for football and our dedication to uplifting the league and its players,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) for fostering collaboration between public and private entities.
The sponsorship, hailed as a “milestone” by NSA Executive Director Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, underscores the increasing importance of private-sector involvement in sports. Abdulai urged reforms to strengthen the league’s sustainability and competitiveness, including the establishment of a Sports Development Fund to attract further investments. “This is a pivotal moment for Sierra Leone football. Private-sector partnerships like this can transform our sports culture,” he added.
Sierra Leone Football Association President Thomas Daddy Brima praised LRMG’s corporate leadership, calling the sponsorship a benchmark for other businesses. He stressed the need for collective efforts to fully leverage this opportunity.
Chief Technical Officer of LRMG, Salim Sillah, emphasized transparency in fund management to ensure accountability. He called for consistent reporting on the use of sponsorship funds, a sentiment echoed by Minister of Sports Augusta James Teima. The minister reaffirmed the government’s support for using sports to drive youth engagement and national unity, expressing gratitude for LRMG’s historic contribution.
With this landmark partnership, the Leone Rock Premier League aims to not only enhance the competitiveness of local football but also inspire greater socio-economic impact across Sierra Leone.
