By Abdul Kabia

As Africa prepares to host its first-ever Olympic event, Sierra Leone’s National Youth Beach Volleyball Team is gearing up to take center stage.

The long-awaited Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will welcome over 2,500 elite young athletes to Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026, marking a historic milestone for sports across the continent.

For Sierra Leone, all eyes are on the promising beach volleyball duo of Alie Kainesie and Team Captain Sulaiman Bangura.

The pair has been putting in relentless work on the sand, driven by a deep desire to make a statement performance and put their country on the international map.

National Head Coach Ansumana Bangura praised the duo’s exceptional dedication, noting that their commitment throughout the intense training cycle has been nothing short of inspiring.

Despite facing significant resource constraints, Kainesie and Captain Bangura continue to push through demanding daily double-session practices, honing their tactical chemistry, agility, and mental resilience at the Bishop House in Freetown.

Speaking on behalf of the squad, Captain Sulaiman Bangura and Alie Kainesie emphasized the immense pride they feel representing the nation at such a historic gathering.

They highlighted the daily sacrifices made behind the scenes, fueled by a single goal: raising the Sierra Leonean flag high in Dakar.

However, the team’s journey has not been without its hurdles.

Preparation has been hampered by meager financial and logistical support from the Volleyball Federation of Sierra Leone and other national sporting bodies, including the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE). To bridge the gap and stay fully focused on competition, the athletes and technical staff are making a passionate call to Sierra Leoneans at home and in the diaspora, as well as corporate sponsors, to step forward and back the team.

With Dakar standing ready to welcome the youth of the world, Sierra Leone’s beach volleyball stars are determined to let their performance reflect their grit, passion, and potential on Africa’s biggest sporting stage yet.