ATHLETES FOR BETTER NATIONS – SIERRA LEONE
Developing Leaders Through Sport, Education, and Global Opportunity
Athletes for Better Nations – Sierra Leone (AFBN-SLE) is a national sports development initiative unlocking the athletic and academic potential of Sierra Leonean youth. We prepare young people not only to compete—but to lead, serve, and represent their nation with excellence.
AFBN-SLE is led by Felix Sandy, International Olympic Envoy for Sports Development, appointed by the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone.
OUR VISION: A Sierra Leone where sport serves as a national development engine—creating opportunity, unity, leadership, and international representation through excellence.
OUR MISSION: To empower Sierra Leone’s youth through integrated sport and education programs that develop disciplined athletes, educated leaders, and globally competitive citizens.
WHY AFBN-SLE EXISTS
The Challenge:
Sierra Leone is rich in talent, resilience, and ambition. Yet many young athletes lack structured pathways that connect sport, education, and long-term opportunity.
Our Solution:
AFBN-SLE builds sustainable development pathways that integrate high-quality athletic training, academic accountability, mentorship, and global exposure—ensuring success in sport strengthens futures beyond sport.
STRATEGIC PILLARS
Athletic Development
Structured, long-term training guided by qualified coaches and athlete-centered development principles.
Academic Excellence
Education accountability, tutoring support, and scholarship guidance to ensure learning remains central to every athlete’s journey.
Global Pathways
International partnerships, exchanges, and exposure opportunities that position athletes for global competitiveness.
Leadership & Character
Values-based mentorship focused on discipline, service, integrity, and national pride.
Rooted in Our Schools. United by Sport.
The Athens of Africa
Bordered by the Sierra Leone flag on both sides
Sierra Leone’s sporting culture has always been built through its schools—where talent, discipline, and national pride first take form.
For generations, our high schools have been the cradle of our athletes.
AFBN-SLE builds upon that tradition by connecting education, sport, and opportunity into one coordinated national pathway.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
AFBN-SLE’s vision has been presented internationally, including an official engagement at Adidas House in Paris during the unveiling of Sierra Leone’s Olympic uniforms designed by Foday Labrum Dumbuya—a Sierra Leonean born and raised designer who also designs for Arsenal Football Club.
The uniforms were later ranked among the Top Five Olympic uniforms at the Games, affirming Sierra Leone’s cultural excellence and global relevance.
Key Insight
More than 85% of the world-class athletes featured were born and raised in Sierra Leone—later excelling internationally when their talents met structured opportunity abroad.
Commitment To Impact
AFBN-SLE measures success through long-term outcomes that strengthen national capacity.
Impact Areas
• Athlete participation and progression
• Academic performance and retention
• Leadership development
• Opportunity and placement outcomes
Call To Action
Partner With Us
AFBN-SLE welcomes collaboration with institutions, brands, educators, and the global Sierra Leonean community to build sustainable pathways for youth development through sport.
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