By Mackie M. Jalloh
With the AFCON Dodgeball 2025 tournament in Abidjan fast approaching, Sierra Leone’s National Dodgeball Team is issuing a heartfelt appeal for financial and logistical support to make their participation a reality. Despite their unwavering commitment and recent regional success, the team faces critical funding gaps that threaten their journey to the continental championship in Ivory Coast this August.
The tournament, organized by the African Dodgeball Federation, is one of the fastest-growing sporting events on the continent, bringing together elite dodgeball athletes from across Africa to showcase skill, teamwork, and national pride. For Sierra Leone, it presents not just a sporting opportunity but a chance to raise the country’s profile on a new international stage.
Fresh off a memorable campaign in Meknes, Morocco, where the team made its debut appearance in the African Championship, the players are more motivated than ever. That experience ignited a deep hunger for excellence and established Sierra Leone as an emerging force in the sport. Now, as they prepare for their second appearance at AFCON Dodgeball, the team is training rigorously at the Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown.
But behind the scenes, there are serious financial constraints.
“The players are giving their all. They train daily under difficult conditions and are fully committed to representing Sierra Leone with pride,” said a team official. “But we lack the necessary funds to cover travel, accommodation, nutrition, kits, and competition fees. Without urgent support, our participation is at risk.”
The Sierra Leone Dodgeball Federation is calling on the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), corporate institutions, NGOs, and patriotic citizens to come to the team’s aid. The Federation stresses that investing in sports, particularly emerging ones like dodgeball, has immense potential for national development and youth empowerment.
“We have young men and women who are channeling their energy into something positive. They are ambassadors of the country,” noted a coach. “Supporting them is supporting national unity, pride, and the future of sports diversification in Sierra Leone.”
The call for support goes beyond just the financial aspect. The team also needs media visibility, sponsorship deals, access to medical care during training, and nutritional support to ensure peak performance during the tournament.
The players themselves remain hopeful. They are determined to make their mark in Abidjan, to improve on their performance in Morocco, and to carry the green, white, and blue high on African soil. All they need is a collective push from the nation that they are working so hard to represent.
With the tournament drawing closer, time is of the essence. Sierra Leone has the talent and the drive—what remains is the will from stakeholders to invest in a future where dodgeball can become one of the country’s success stories in international sports.
Now is the time to step up. Let’s rally behind our team, show them they’re not alone, and ensure Sierra Leone takes its rightful place on the dodgeball map of Africa.
