By Shannon A. L. Scott
Sierra Leone’s leading mining company, Leone Rock Metal Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth NLe 4,066,164 (approximately US$180,000) with the Sierra Leone Premier League Board (PLB) and Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to sponsor the 2026 Premier League season.

The signing ceremony, held yesterday Monday, 3rd November 2025 at the Bintumani Conference Complex, Aberdeen, Freetown, brought together government officials, football administrators, and corporate partners. The event underscored the growing collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting sports and youth development across Sierra Leone.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, commended Leone Rock Metal Group for its continued support and praised the SLFA leadership under Mr. Babadi Kamara for restoring professionalism and integrity in football management.

She described the partnership as “more than corporate goodwill. It is an act of nation-building,” emphasizing football’s role in fostering unity, discipline, and national pride. “Football transforms lives, creates jobs, and strengthens communities,” the Minister stated. “Together, we will continue to make Sierra Leone a proud sporting nation.”

Madam James-Teima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability across all sporting disciplines, noting that football’s progress would inspire development in other sports.

Director of General Administration and Human Resource, Leone Rock Metal Group, Mr. Miller expressed appreciation to the people of Sierra Leone for their hospitality and outlined four core values underpinning the partnership: Cooperation, Progress, Respect, and Sharing. He reiterated Leone Rock’s commitment to supporting the 2026 Premier League season, saying, “This partnership thrives because of collaboration and respect. Together, we will continue to make Sierra Leonean football shine.”

SLFA President, Babadi Kamara, described the MoU signing as “one of the happiest days of my tenure.” Just three months into his leadership, Babadi said the agreement marks “a new era of accountability and progress in football governance.” He revealed that Leone Rock increased its sponsorship after reviewing the SLFA’s transparent budget plan “an act of confidence in our integrity and vision.”

Mr. Kamara assured that championship prizes will no longer face delays and reaffirmed the FA’s commitment to both men’s and women’s football. Citing the success story of Juma Bah, a local talent who now plays professionally in Europe, he urged businesses and citizens alike to invest in football as “a source of national pride, unity, and progress.”

Premier League Board Chairman, Mr. Osman Tommy, welcomed guests and reiterated the Board’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and integrity. He described the partnership as “a significant step in elevating the standard of professional football in Sierra Leone.”
Representing the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Abdul Rahman Swaray hailed the MoU as a milestone that transcends financial investment.

“This partnership will inspire our youth to pursue excellence through sport,” he said, noting that the NSA’s continued support aligns with the government’s ‘Big Five Game Changers’—particularly its focus on creating youth employment opportunities.

The ceremony concluded with the official signing of the MoU and renewed optimism for the future of Sierra Leonean football. With Leone Rock Metal Group’s Le 4.06 billion sponsorship, the Sierra Leone Premier League is now poised for greater professionalism, improved player welfare, and broader youth engagement.

This partnership symbolizes not just a corporate investment, but a national commitment to unity, development, and the empowerment of young people through sport.