On Thursday, 15th January, the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, led a team comprising executives of the National Sports Authority (NSA), officials from the Ministry of Sports, members of the Chinese Technical Team, and stadium management on a tour of several facilities at the National Stadium.
The facilities toured included the stadium hostel, practice field, basketball court, volleyball court, and swimming pool. According to the Chinese Technical Team, rehabilitation works on these facilities have been completed, and they are set to be handed over to the Government of Sierra Leone in the coming days.
In her address, the Sports Minister commended the Chinese Technical Team for their hard work and dedication, noting that the completion of these facilities will significantly accelerate the development of various sporting disciplines. She highlighted the challenges faced by the Swimming and Water Polo Association, which has struggled due to the absence of a standard-length swimming pool. Similarly, basketball and volleyball teams have often had to rent courts at Victoria Park to host league matches.
The Minister added that the practice field will benefit both Premier League and Division One clubs, providing a venue for training and even hosting some league matches. She advised all users of the facilities to ensure they are properly maintained.
According to sources, the main bowl of the National Stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with an official handover scheduled for December 2026.
The stadium hostel, the Minister said, will serve a dual purpose: generating income and accommodating national teams and clubs during camping and preparation for competitions. It will also be used by sporting associations hosting international events to house visiting teams. For transparency and sustainability, the hostel will be managed by a private company, sources disclosed.
Commenting on the development, Ahmed Abdul Turay, President of the Sierra Leone Swimming and Water Polo Association, expressed delight at the impending handover of the swimming pool. He described it as timely, especially as the association prepares for the African Swimming Championship in Accra and upcoming world championships. However, he advised that the pool should be inspected thoroughly before handover to ensure it meets international standards, as Sierra Leone hopes to host international competitions in the future.
