By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, November 12, 2025: As part of preparations for Sierra Leone’s hosting of the first-ever International 16-Nation U-15 Academy Tournament scheduled for April 2026, the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, on Monday led a high-level delegation to the southern and eastern regions to inspect stadiums and hotel facilities.
The tour began at the Kenema Town Field Stadium, where the Minister and her team were received by the Secretary General of the Kenema District Football Association, Umaru Sallu Sawaneh. The Director of Sports, Haroun Mustapha Korgi, briefed local officials on the purpose of the visit, while Mr. Sawaneh provided updates on ongoing improvements.
The inspection covered dressing rooms, conference halls, toilets, the pitch, and lighting and water systems. The team also visited several hotels in Kenema — including Albertson Hotel, Paloma Hotel, and Dorwail Hotel — to assess facilities and review accommodation rates for participating teams and officials.
The delegation later proceeded to the Bo Mini Stadium, where they were welcomed by Stadium Manager Mohamed Vangahun and his technical staff. Similar inspections were carried out on the stadium’s infrastructure and utilities.
In Bo, the Minister and her team also visited the Galliness Paradise Hotel for a facility check. The Southern Arena Stadium, already certified to international standards, was acknowledged as fully compliant and did not require a detailed inspection.
At the end of the visit, the inspection team tentatively agreed to select the Bo Mini Stadium, Southern Arena, and Galliness Paradise Hotel as key venues for the 2026 Africa Youth Cup Tournament. The findings will be presented at the next meeting of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for confirmation and final approval.