Sierra Leone has announced its arrival at the Youth Olympic Games, Dakar 2026, in style, with the beach volleyball team recording an emphatic 2-0 victory over Namibia.

Drawn in Pool A alongside Germany, Namibia and Morocco, the Sierra Leonean duo took to the sands of Saly at 8:40 a.m., barely five hours after arriving in Senegal.

Kainesie and Sulaiman, no strangers to the venue where they clinched gold in August at the CAVB Youth Development Tournament, showed little sign of fatigue as they dispatched their Namibian counterparts in straight sets, 21-16, 21-9, to secure their first victory of the competition.

The team is scheduled to play its second pool match later this afternoon, ahead of the official opening ceremony.

Reacting to the news back home, National Federation President Ahmed Khanou could hardly contain his excitement, remarking: “Operation Podium Finish is kicking in!”

An equally delighted NOC/CGA-SLE President, Prince Vandy Sualley, was reportedly so engrossed in savouring the victory that he requested not to be disturbed.

A promising start for Team Sierra Leone. The mission is underway.