Sierra Leone U16 Basketball Team Participation in AfroBasket Tournament at Risk After Flight Mishap

Sierra Leone U16 Basketball Team Participation in AfroBasket Tournament at Risk After Flight Mishap

The Sierra Leone Basketball Federation's (SLBF) Under-16 national team, comprising ten players, a head coach, and a team doctor, safely arrived in Nigeria via Air Sierra Leone. However, a significant flight delay has jeopardized their participation in the FIBA U16 AfroBasket Tournament in Rwanda, scheduled to run from September 2nd to 14th, 2025.

The team, originally slated to jet to Rwanda today, missed their connecting flight. While efforts are underway to secure new tickets for a later Wednesday, September 3rd departure, with hopes of playing their opener against Ivory Coast on September 4th, this unforeseen turn of events has burdened the already financially constrained Federation with significant additional expenses.

The SLBF had primarily relied on public donations through "GoFundMe" and mobile money to raise funds, a limitation that had already forced them to reduce the number of players and delegates. A lack of financial support from the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) has further exacerbated their predicament.

Despite these challenges, the Federation remains optimistic, urging Sierra Leoneans to rally behind the U16 national team. They believe that participation in this continental tournament is crucial for the future of basketball in the country. The team is drawn in Group A, alongside host nation Rwanda, Angola, and Ivory Coast.