Athletes Sulaiman Bangura and Alie Kainesie presenting the Gold medal to the NOC President

The National Volleyball Federation of Sierra Leone formally presented the country’s Beach Volleyball Gold Medalists from the African Youth Games to the President of the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone, Prince Vandy Sualley, in recognition of their outstanding achievement and qualification pathway.

Presenting the athletes Sulaiman Bangura and Alie Kainesie, Ahmed Khanou, President of the National Volleyball Federation, stated that the medal-winning team forms a core component of a structured high-performance pathway under the project “Operation Podium Finish – Dakar 2026.” He underscored that the initiative is designed to consolidate recent gains, deepen athlete development, and deliver podium outcomes at forthcoming continental competitions.

In his response, President Prince Vandy Sualley commended the Federation for its leadership and strategic clarity, emphasizing that volleyball has become a textbook example for National Sports Organisations in Sierra Leone in terms of governance, planning, and results delivery. He noted that the gold medal triumph and the resulting qualification trajectory toward African Youth Games warrant national-level recognition, including Presidential acknowledgment, given their significance to the country’s international sporting profile.

President Sualley congratulated the athletes, the technical team, and the NOC administration, while also highlighting that the NOC’s targeted investment—despite operating under bare-minimum funding conditions—prioritized beach volleyball due to the sport’s high medal potential and the demonstrable readiness of the athletes. He reaffirmed the NOC’s commitment to sustaining focused support where performance indicators justify strategic allocation.

The presentation concluded with renewed assurances of collaboration between the Federation and the NOC to maintain momentum toward Dakar 2026 and beyond.

The NOC President being flanked by the two athletes with the two gold medals on his neck

Prince Vandy Sualley President of NOC Sierra Leone addressing the athletes 

The athletes and their coach giving all ears to the address from the President