By George M.O. Williams
The Leone Rock Metal Group has renewed its sponsorship of the Sierra Leone Premier League for the fourth consecutive year, committing NLe4,127,994 to support the country’s top-flight football competition.
The sponsorship agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Bintumani Hall in Freetown, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the Premier League Board and Leone Rock Metal Group.
Speaking at the event, NSA Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh lauded Leone Rock Metal Group for its unwavering commitment to football development in Sierra Leone. He noted that the Authority continues to provide technical support across various sporting disciplines and described the company’s contribution as a significant boost to the growth of the game.
Conteh encouraged other private sector institutions to emulate Leone Rock’s example by investing in sports and supporting community development initiatives. He also appealed to the company to extend its support to the Women’s Premier League to enhance opportunities for female footballers nationwide.
Premier League Board Chairman Osman Tommy said the league had overcome numerous challenges over the years, thanks in part to the consistent backing of Leone Rock Metal Group. He emphasized football’s role in creating livelihoods for young people and helping to address social issues such as substance abuse.
Tommy further called on the media to continue promoting positive stories within the sport and expressed confidence that the forthcoming league season would be one of the most successful yet.
Representing the SLFA, Alie Badara Tarawallie described Leone Rock as a trailblazer in corporate support for football, noting that its partnership with the league has inspired other businesses to invest in the sport.
He said football has made substantial contributions to youth employment and human capital development while providing a positive avenue for young people. Tarawallie also appealed for support towards Sierra Leone’s junior national teams, stressing that investment in grassroots football is vital to securing the future of the game.
Minister of Sports August James-Teima commended Leone Rock Metal Group for its continued commitment to football, describing the sport as Sierra Leone’s most popular and unifying activity despite persistent structural challenges within the sector.
He underscored the importance of sports in job creation, youth empowerment and national development, while assuring stakeholders that the Ministry would continue to work closely with the NSA to strengthen sports governance and ensure accountability in the management of resources.
Delivering the keynote address, Leone Rock Metal Group’s Chief Technical Officer, Salim Sillah, acknowledged the operational and economic challenges facing both the company and the Premier League Board in sustaining the partnership.
He explained that mining operations are influenced by factors including ore deposits, mineral grades, evacuation processes and transportation costs. Despite these challenges, Sillah reaffirmed Leone Rock’s commitment to supporting football and contributing to community development across Sierra Leone.
The renewal marks the fourth consecutive year of partnership between Leone Rock Metal Group and the Sierra Leone Premier League, further cementing the company’s position as one of the leading private-sector investors in the development of domestic football.