To Boost Boxing Development…SLBA Launches Level I Technical Coaching Course

The Sierra Leone Boxing Association (SLBA) has officially launched a Level I Technical Coaching Course at the OlympAfrica Centre in Goderich, Freetown, as part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of local coaches and advance the development of boxing in Sierra Leone.

The week-long training, which commenced on Thursday, September 10, 2026, is being supported by Olympic Solidarity, the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE) and World Boxing.

The programme has attracted coaches from across Sierra Leone, as well as participants from five other countries – The Gambia, Seychelles, Togo, Somalia and Namibia – for intensive training in technical skills, modern coaching methodologies and athlete development practices.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, chaired by SLBA Secretary General Alhaji Komba, NOC-SLE Secretary General Ahmed Khanou congratulated the participants for making themselves available for the training and welcomed the course expert, Williams Brereton of Ireland.

Khanou said capacity building remains a major priority for the NOC-SLE, stressing the need for national federations to strengthen both their administrative and technical structures.

“When the national federation approached us for a technical course, we deemed it fit to develop a project together and approached Olympic Solidarity to make the funds available,” Khanou said.

He urged the coaches to take advantage of the opportunity, emphasizing that continuous training is essential for achieving competitiveness in sport.

“If you want to be competitive, your best bet is to train, train and train. You don't have any alternative but to train,” he stressed.

Khanou also disclosed that the coaching course is being conducted alongside a World Youth Camp involving participants from five countries. He explained that the camp serves as part of the preparations towards the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

“This is a preparatory base for a youth camp towards Dakar 2026,” Khanou said, adding that the participating delegations, including coaches and athletes who have qualified for Dakar 2026, were expected to join the programme.

He stressed that African athletes must approach Dakar 2026 with the ambition to compete for medals rather than simply participate.

The NOC-SLE Secretary General assured participants that the Olympic Committee would continue to monitor the programme and assess its quality, noting that the outcome could form the basis for further support, including a potential Level II coaching course.

Speaking on behalf of the SLBA, Southern Region President and longest-serving Vice President Alhaji Tarawallie expressed appreciation to the NOC-SLE and Olympic Solidarity for supporting the initiative.

Tarawallie said the future development of boxing depends largely on the quality, knowledge, discipline and commitment of coaches.

“Coaches play a vital role in identifying talents, developing athletes, promoting discipline, and ensuring the safety and proper growth of our boxers and general sportsmanship,” he stated.

He encouraged participants to take the training seriously, improve their technical knowledge, learn modern coaching methods and share experiences that could contribute to the development of boxing across the region.

“Our responsibility is not only producing winning boxers, but a holistic development of disciplined, responsible, healthy, and confident young people who can become good citizens and ambassadors of our region and country,” Tarawallie emphasized.

He further called for unity, discipline and mutual respect among stakeholders to build a stronger foundation for boxing and create greater opportunities for athletes.

Course expert Williams Brereton, a prominent boxing coach and sports administrator who serves as Chair of the Coaches Commission of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC), also encouraged participants to make maximum use of the training opportunity.

Brereton, who comes from a fourth-generation boxing family and has worked with amateur boxing squads across the world, said he has had extensive experience working with boxers from Sierra Leone.

He urged the coaches to remain focused, actively participate in discussions and make meaningful contributions throughout the week-long programme.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Steven Kelfala, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports at the National Sports Authority, and Haroun Korjie, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sports.

The Level I Technical Coaching Course was officially declared open by SLBA President Solomon Desmond Kargbo, who also serves as President of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC).