By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, July 10, 2026 – The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced the launch of a nationwide U-17 Boys Talent Hunt Programme, set to begin on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the SLFA Academy in Freetown. Similar exercises will take place simultaneously across the country’s four other regions.
The initiative, branded “Raise Your Game,” is designed to identify promising young footballers and channel them into the FA Players Development Pathway. According to the SLFA, the programme reflects its commitment to investing in youth football and building a structured system that nurtures talent for future national team opportunities.
All participants are required to present a valid National Identity Card or Passport before taking part, a measure aimed at ensuring proper verification and credibility of the process.
At the conclusion of the regional exercises, each of the five regions will select 20 outstanding players to advance to the National U-17 Talent Hunt, where they will undergo further assessment and evaluation.
SLFA Head of Media and Marketing, Ibrahim Kamara, emphasized that the programme is part of the Association’s broader vision to strengthen grassroots football development and prepare the next generation of Sierra Leonean players for international competition.