In a spirited display of corporate sportsmanship and national pride, Africell Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to youth sports by sponsoring the national under-18 volleyball team for the upcoming CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. The official signing ceremony took place on Friday, July 25, at Africell’s headquarters on Pivot Street in Wilberforce, Freetown.
The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) organises the Continental Cup, a qualification tournament for the FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships that showcases the continent’s top emerging talent. Sierra Leone’s participation reflects both the country’s growing volleyball profile and the results of years of strategic investment in the sport.
Shadi Al-Gerjawi, CEO of Africell, spoke at the event about the company’s long-standing partnership with the Volleyball Federation of Sierra Leone.
“Africell has a long and distinguished history of supporting volleyball in Sierra Leone. This is not a one-time gesture; our involvement dates back nearly 15 years and is founded on passion and consistency,” Al-Gerjawi stated. “Sierra Leone has consistently won medals in volleyball, outperforming more popular sports such as football and basketball.” Kenyans are well-known for running, and we are making our mark in volleyball.”
He expressed confidence that the U18 team, which will represent Sierra Leone on the continental stage, will carry on the country’s tradition of excellence. He assured them that Africell would remain a “steadfast partner” throughout their journey.
The CEO’s remarks were well received by the volleyball community, particularly the VFSL leadership, who were also present at the signing.
Ahmed Kanu, President of the VFSL, praised Africell’s consistent support over the years, describing the telecom giant as “more than a sponsor, but a true partner in progress.”
“Since 2008, Africell has stood by us, even when volleyball lacked the global limelight,” says Kanu. “With their assistance, our teams have qualified for prestigious events such as the World Championships in Poland and the Youth Games in Nanjing, China. It’s a partnership that has consistently produced results.”
The VFSL president also highlighted the Africell Beach Arena, a cutting-edge facility built as part of the collaboration that now serves as the primary training and competition venue for beach volleyball in the country.
“Our team isn’t going to just participate. “We are going to compete,” Kanu declared. “We are aiming for medals, and with Africell by our side, we believe anything is possible.”
The U18 team, which includes some of Sierra Leone’s most promising young athletes, will travel to Nigeria to compete against Africa’s best. A strong performance at the Continental Cup could secure the country’s spot in the 2026 FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships, further From hosting training camps to sponsoring local tournaments and national team trips abroad, the company has helped keep the sport alive even during difficult times. From hosting training camps to sponsoring local tournaments and national team trips abroad, the company has helped keep the sport alive even during difficult times.
The latest support follows another successful engagement, with Africell previously congratulating Sierra Leone’s basketball team on their regional competition gold medal win. According to stakeholders, the gesture reflects a larger corporate vision of empowering youth through sports.
As the U18 beach volleyball team embarks on this journey, both Africell and the Volleyball Federation share a common goal: to see the Sierra Leone flag fly high again in continental and global competitions.
