Leone Rock Metal Group Signs NLe 4 Million MoU to Sponsor 2026 SL Premier League Season
Sierra Leone’s leading mining company, Leone Rock Metal Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth NLe 4,066,164 (approximately US$180,000) with the Sierra Leone Premier League Board (PLB) and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to sponsor the 2026 Premier League season.
The signing ceremony, held on Monday, 3rd November 2025, at the Bintumani Conference Complex in Aberdeen, Freetown, brought together senior government officials, football administrators, and corporate representatives. The event marked a major step in strengthening public-private collaboration to promote sports, youth empowerment, and community development across Sierra Leone.
Government Commends Leone Rock’s Continued Commitment to Sports
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, lauded Leone Rock Metal Group for its continued partnership with the government in advancing national development through sports. She also commended the SLFA leadership under Mr. Babadi Kamara for restoring professionalism, integrity, and accountability in football management.
“This partnership is more than corporate goodwill—it is an act of nation-building,” the Minister stated. “Football transforms lives, creates jobs, and strengthens communities. Together, we will continue to make Sierra Leone a proud sporting nation.”
Madam James-Teima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusivity across all sporting disciplines, adding that football’s success would serve as a catalyst for the growth of other sports in the country.
Leone Rock Highlights Shared Values and Long-Term Vision
Representing Leone Rock Metal Group, Mr. Miller, Director of General Administration and Human Resources, expressed gratitude to the people of Sierra Leone for their hospitality and trust. He outlined the company’s four core partnership values — Cooperation, Progress, Respect, and Sharing — noting that these principles continue to guide Leone Rock’s social investments in Sierra Leone.
“This partnership thrives because of collaboration and respect,” Mr. Miller said. “Together, we will continue to make Sierra Leonean football shine. Leone Rock remains steadfast in its commitment to the 2026 Premier League season and to the wider development of Sierra Leone’s youth through sports.”
He emphasized that the company’s involvement in sports is part of its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which includes investments in education, health, infrastructure, and community development in its areas of operation.
SLFA Pledges Accountability and Growth Under New Leadership
SLFA President, Babadi Kamara, described the MoU signing as “one of the happiest days of my tenure.” Only three months into his leadership, Mr. Kamara said the agreement marks “a new era of accountability and progress in football governance.”
He revealed that Leone Rock Metal Group increased its sponsorship after reviewing the SLFA’s transparent budget plan—“an act of confidence in our integrity and vision.”
Mr. Kamara assured football fans that championship prizes will no longer face delays, adding that the SLFA remains equally committed to advancing both men’s and women’s football. Citing the success story of Juma Bah, a young Sierra Leonean now playing professionally in Europe, he encouraged businesses and citizens to invest in football as “a source of national pride, unity, and progress.”
Premier League Board and NSA Praise the Partnership
Premier League Board (PLB) Chairman, Mr. Osman Tommy, in his welcome address, thanked Leone Rock Metal Group for its trust and support, reiterating the PLB’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and professionalism. He described the MoU as “a significant milestone in elevating the standard of professional football in Sierra Leone.”
Representing the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Abdul Rahman Swaray hailed the partnership as one that extends far beyond financial investment. “This collaboration will inspire our youth to pursue excellence through sport,” he said. “The NSA’s continued support for football aligns perfectly with the government’s ‘Big Five Game Changers’, especially its focus on job creation and youth empowerment.”
A Milestone for Sierra Leonean Football
The event concluded with the official signing of the MoU and a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Sierra Leonean football. With Leone Rock Metal Group’s NLe 4.06 billion sponsorship, the 2026 Sierra Leone Premier League is expected to achieve greater professionalism, improved player welfare, and enhanced operational efficiency.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that this partnership will strengthen grassroots football, nurture emerging talents, and provide a platform for young Sierra Leoneans to achieve their dreams both locally and internationally.
This collaboration symbolizes not just a corporate investment, but a national commitment to unity, progress, and the empowerment of young people through sport — a vision shared by Leone Rock Metal Group, the Government of Sierra Leone, and the country’s football leadership.
