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Sierra Leone's junior swimming team, the Baby Dolphins, have departed for the 3rd Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championships in Accra, Ghana. The delegation departed on August 16, 2023, and the championships commenced on August 18. The event will be hosted at the renowned University of Ghana, Swimming Pool in Legon, which has a capacity of 2,000 spectators. The Baby Dolphins have been training tirelessly for months in preparation for this prestigious event. They are determined to represent their country with pride and make their mark on the international swimming stage. The team is led by coach Gibrilla Kanu Bamba, himself a former Sierra Dolphin. He is confident that the athletes will make their country proud. The delegation includes team captain Moses Yongai, as well as Musa Baimba Sannoh, Peter Elijah Bewie, Elizabeth Yaba Kamara, and Anaya Susan Folasade M'Cormack-Hale. Mohamed Abdul Turay, Sierra Leone Aquatics President who is also an African Aquatics Zone 2 Bureau member, is also in Accra for a strategic planning meeting for A. A. Zone two. The Baby Dolphins are excited to compete against the best swimmers from across Africa and to showcase their talent. They are confident that they can achieve great things at this championship.

Polish international goalkeeper Piotr Kwasniewicz has donated 50 footballs to the AS Elite Goalkeeper Academy in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The donation will help the academy to provide more opportunities for its students to practice and will also help to cover the costs of the academy's programs, which are funded entirely by donations. Kwasniewicz said: I am happy to support the AS Elite Goalkeeper Academy, believing that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and I hope that my donation will help these young people to achieve their goals The academy's trainer, Idrissa Kallon, thanked Kwasniewicz for his generosity: This donation is a huge help to us and it will allow us to provide even better training to our students and help them to reach their full potential. The academy, founded in 2022, provides training to children and young adults who aspire to become professional goalkeepers. It is one of the few football academies in Sierra Leone that offers specialized training for goalkeepers. The academy's coaches have extensive experience in the game, and they are committed to helping their students develop the skills and techniques they need to succeed. The academy has produced several talented goalkeepers who have gone on to play professionally in Sierra Leone and abroad. The academy's graduates include Abdulai Mansaray, who is currently the goalkeeper for the Sierra Leone national team. Kwasniewicz's donation is a significant boost for the Elite Goalkeeper Academy. It will help the academy to continue providing high-quality training to its students and help them to achieve their dreams of becoming professional goalkeepers.

Sierra Leone's Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, whilst addressing elected councilors at their oath taking organized on Thursday 17th August 2023, has said that councilors during the second term of President Bio, will be key executors of the programs of the big five agenda. VP Jalloh stated that the council in the Western Urban comprises thirteen female Councilors, whilst the rural district has twelve female councilors, placing the number of female representatives above 30%, a fulfillment of GEWE and President Bio’s commitment to gender empowerment drive. He expressed the hope that this crop of councilors will differ from previous ones who were mostly engaged in “gbos gbos”, preventing further achievements in the council. He assured the newly elected councilors of Freetown City and Waterloo District Councils that the government intends to improve their working conditions and increase the allocation of resources to the councils to ensure optimal productivity. He also urged the councilors to be accountable and transparent in their work, and to work together to improve revenue collection and service delivery. He highlighted the achievements of President Bio's first-term government, including in the areas of education, health, agriculture, electricity, roads, and infrastructure. He concluded with commendations of the decision of the government to incorporate tribal leadership representatives into council bodies. With increased allocations and incorporations of councils in the drafting implementation of government programs from Ministry of Planning to Health, Lands, Finance and more, VP Jalloh stated that the success of President Bio's five agenda is exponential. The Minister of Local Government, Amb. Tamba Lamina, noted that service delivery is crucial for the councils. He explained that the revised Local Government Act and the Decentralization Policy makes provision for 20% representation of tribal and village heads in the Western Area to now sit in councils, working together to ensure development in their respective councils. After these statements, twenty nine councilors (eighteen within the Western Urban and eleven fron the Western Rural), were sworn in.

The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Bio, has signed a partnership and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Young African Women Congress Network (YAWC) to host the 2023 Annual Continental Convocation in Freetown. The event, which is scheduled to take place from November 20-24, 2023, will bring together over 800 young women from across Africa to discuss issues of gender equality, women's empowerment, leadership, and socio-economic development. In her address at the signing ceremony on Friday 18th August 2023, at State House, Madam Fatima Maada Bio commended President Bio's achievement for implementing a 30% quota for women in governance, adding that this is in line with the notion for the Young African Women Congress 2023 which will add up to Sierra Leone’s governance and development. The Young African Women Congress serves as an exceptional platform for young women across the continent to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and collaborate on issues of utmost importance. The congress aims to inspire and equip young African women with the necessary knowledge and tools to become catalysts for change in their respective communities and nations. The event will feature a diverse range of activities, including panel discussions, interactive workshops, keynote addresses, networking sessions, cultural showcases, and exhibitions. Renowned speakers and experts from various fields will share their insights and experiences, providing valuable guidance and inspiration to the participants. By hosting this event, Sierra Leone aims to showcase its progress and achievements in empowering women and promoting their active participation in all spheres of society. Sierra Leone eagerly anticipates welcoming delegates and participants from across the African continent to this momentous occasion, as together, they strive to create a brighter future for African women and drive sustainable development in their respective nations.

LISCR FC of Liberia have arrived safely in Sierra Leone ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg match against Bo Rangers FC, set to be played on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Southern Arena Stadium in Bo. LISCR FC who arrived yesterday 17th August are the reigning Liberian champions, whilst Bo Rangers FC are the reigning Sierra Leonean champions. The two teams had clashed in the West Africa Champions Cup in Guinea. Both teams are eager to make a good impression in the CAF Champions League and progress to the next round. LISCR FC have a strong squad that includes the likes of William Jebor, Abass Sesay, and Santigie Koroma but they will be playing without their star striker, Ishmael Dumbuya, who is out with a long-term injury. Bo Rangers FC who are undoubtedly capitalizing on the absences of Dumbuya, will be starting with their strong team, led by the experienced strikers Suffian Kalokoh and Ibrahim Turay. The match will be a good test for both teams as they prepare for the next round of the CAF Champions League and this particular one will be a close one, with both teams having a winning chance.

On August 18th, 2023, during the last training session of the team ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League match between Bo Rangers FC and LISCR FC from Liberia, Babadi Kamara, the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC, delivered a motivational speech to the players and technical team. The Executive Chairman Mr. Kamara began by commending the team for their outstanding performance in the recently concluded West Africa Champions Cup in Guinea, where the club finished as runners-up after narrowly losing in the finals. He reminded the players and technical team of the daunting task ahead, saying, "Keep up the good work in training as we have two big matches ahead of us and we can only hope for the best, which is a win that can see Bo Rangers through to the second preliminary round of the competition." He added that he has strong faith and confidence in the team and hopes that they can do it for the people of Bo and Sierra Leone at large. He urged them to continue to strive to be respectful, disciplined, and stay focused on the vision, which he said is about "Putting Sierra Leone on the football map." He concluded by saying, "Set yourselves a target, plan well, and work towards it. Trust me, you will achieve your goals."

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has sent a three-member delegation to attend the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Football Convention, which commenced today, 18 August, in Sydney, Australia. The two-day convention is a gathering of decision-makers who will deliberate on plans, opportunities, and methods to improve the already booming women’s game. The convention, which is currently being held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia, is expected to devise ways to rebrand women’s football worldwide, as well as include ways to increase participation, improve media coverage, and develop better facilities. The Sierra Leonean delegation includes SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima, last season’s female premier league chairperson Madam Asmaa James, and female executive committee member and head of the female football committee in Sierra Leone Haja Ramatulai Kamara. They hope to learn about the latest trends and best practices in women’s football, network with other football officials from around the world, and develop a plan to grow women’s football in Sierra Leone. The officials plan to use the knowledge and skills they gain at the convention to increase participation in women’s football in Sierra Leone, and increase participation in friendly and competitive games within and outside of Sierra Leone. One of the delegates, media practitioner and last season’s female premier league chairperson Madam Asmaa James expressed her gratitude and sense of responsibility to be representing her country at such heights. She also commented on her honor at meeting experienced and long-time Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger. The convention is expected to conclude on 19 August, whilst the finals will hold on Sunday the 20th of August.

The All People's Congress (APC)party has restated their decision to abstain from all governance processes until further notice. This is a clarification of their stance made after the conduct of the June 24th Multi-tier election, when the party had complained of transparency issues, in the tallying and announcement of the election results. The recent restatement had been necessitated given the oath taking of two of their elected parliamentary members, bringing questions of their abstinence to the fore. The party in an issued press statement released on 16th August 2023, had quoted deliberation held with multiple stakeholders, most recently the inter-religious council and the Independent Commission for Peace and National cohesion, seeking amicable resolution of the political impasse, seemingly causing a restless atmosphere between party members on all aisles. Following the swearing in of council representatives such as Mayors, Chairpersons and Councilors, on 17th August, by Juldeh Jalloh, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, elected Mayor of the Freetown Municipality Madam Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr had also issued a statement reaffirming her party's position of refraining from governance despite their commitment to their people. Noteworthy, local and international stakeholders have urged the APC party to partake in governance, if only for the sake of the people that voted for them. The opposition however continues to balk this notion.

The Sierra Leone Dodgeball Association (SLDBA) met with Minister of Sports Augusta James Teima on Tuesday to discuss the development of the sport in the country. SLDBA President Abdul Kassim Tejan briefed the minister on the association's activities, including the establishment of a national dodgeball league and plans to send a team to the African Dodgeball Championship in Morocco later this year. Minister Teima expressed her support for the SLDBA and its goals and assured of her commitment to providing the necessary resources to help the association develop the sport of dodgeball in Sierra Leone. "Dodgeball is a great sport that can benefit people of all ages and abilities and I am excited to see the SLDA's work to promote the sport and to provide opportunities for all Sierra Leoneans to participate." The SLDBA is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2022 with the goal of promoting the sport of dodgeball in Sierra Leone and to providing opportunities for all people to participate, especially women and girls. The African Dodgeball Championship is a biennial tournament organized by the African Dodgeball Federation. The SLDBA is confident that it can field a competitive team for the African Dodgeball Championship. The association has been training hard and is committed to representing Sierra Leone with pride. The SLDBA is grateful for the support of Minister Teima and the Ministry of Sports. The association is confident that with their support, dodgeball can become a popular sport in Sierra Leone.

In a press conference attended by media practitioners and government officials, the Minister of Youth Affairs, Orman Bangura, commented on the pressing issue of the escalating Kush addiction among Sierra Leone's young population. The press conference held on Tuesday 15th August, Mr. Bangura maintained that he recognizes the rising cases of drug abuse, especially Cannabis indica. He remarked that a significant first course of action should be community advocacy, directed at protecting young people within these communities. He explained that there is an ongoing sensitization drive being carried out by government ministers themselves in multiple regions, on the ills of drug substances, with collaboration with the security sector to limit the distribution of the substance. Youth Advocate Kadijatu Barrie, representing the civil society, addressed journalists during the conference, shedding light on the alarming rise in Kush consumption over the past two years. Barrie pointed out that the drug is now openly used in every community, signifying an immediate need for intervention. Barrie shared her own findings, revealing that a staggering 60 percent of individuals admitted to the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital are young addicts brought in by their families or friends. Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that Kush addiction is a deeply concerning problem. The government, he noted, recognizes the need for immediate action to address the issue and protect the well-being of the nation's youth. The Minister of Youth Affairs reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the issue and urged the public to actively participate in efforts to tackle the problem. It is crucial to create a supportive environment that encourages young individuals struggling with addiction to seek help, while also implementing preventive measures to curb the spread of Kush use among the youth. As Sierra Leone confronts the growing challenge of Kush addiction, the government and civil society are working together to protect the well-being and future of the nation's young generation. Immediate action, combined with education and community involvement, is essential to address this pressing concern and provide a path to recovery for those affected by Kush addiction.

The All People's Congress (APC) held separate meetings with the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion on August 14 and 15, 2023, in response to calls for dialogue to resolve the ongoing impasse between the ruling government and the main opposition party. During the meetings, the institutions expressed their desire to understand the APC's grievances firsthand. The APC reiterated that its concerns are well-known and stressed the importance of honest and open dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic processes were key points emphasized by the APC during the discussions. The party highlighted the challenges it has faced, including alleged violations of rights and marginalization of its members in the political landscape. The APC also emphasized the significance of inclusive governance, national unity, and the promotion of peace and stability in Sierra Leone. Both parties agreed on the need for meaningful dialogue and expressed their commitment to finding common ground. On August 16, 2023, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the APC convened a meeting to discuss the subjects of the aforementioned meetings and presented their resolutions in a press release. The party maintains that its position of non-participation in governance remains unchanged. Further meetings have been planned to delve deeper into the issues raised and explore potential solutions.

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) on Tuesday 15th August 2023, successfully conducted a one-day seminar on the FIFA Connect Program for club administrators and Regional FA Competitions Officers at the SLFA Secretariat in Freetown. The session integrated the training of football administrators on the professional registration and transfer of players and officials using the FIFA Connect system, ahead of the new league season. The FIFA Connect Programme was established to improve the transparency and efficiency of player registration and transfer, thereby protecting the rights of players and officials, whilst elevating their profile through tracking and monitoring. The FIFA Connect program is in its planning stage to be rolled out to all clubs and regional FAs in the coming months, with the provision of a unique FIFA ID code- a digital football passport- for every individual (player and official) who has a role in the football organization. The program will also be used to register players for international matches. The seminar was well-received by the participants, who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about the FIFA Connect program. They expressed confidence that the program will be a valuable tool for improving the administration of football in Sierra Leone. The seminar was facilitated by SLFA’s Director of Competitions, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, and Premier League Board Secretary, Sampha Hassan Kamara. At the conclusion of the training, all the participants were registered into the system and granted full access to carry out the registration of players and officials at their respective clubs and regional football associations.