Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a show of continued support for youth empowerment and drug prevention through sports, the Say No To Drugs campaign on Wednesday donated 10 basketballs and three individual trophies to the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation (SLBF).
The presentation ceremony took place at Victoria Park in Freetown, where Madam Zainab Sillah handed over the items to SLBF President, Ali Hijazi. She made the donation on behalf of the campaign’s co-founders, Abu Bakar Sillah, also known as Ivorian Sillah, and Mamadu Bobor Barrie.
Speaking during the brief event, Madam Sillah expressed gratitude to the basketball community for embracing the campaign’s mission to combat drug abuse in Sierra Leone. She emphasized that the donation was part of their ongoing commitment to support the Federation and promote positive engagement among young people.
“On behalf of my husband and his partner, Bobor Barrie, I want to thank the Federation for embracing their initiative,” she said. “This donation reflects our responsibility to support our partners in spreading the message of saying no to drugs and violence.”
Receiving the items, SLBF President Ali Hijazi expressed his appreciation to the Say No To Drugs team, noting that their partnership with the Federation dates back to previous engagements.
“This is not the first time we’ve received support from them,” Hijazi said. “They were the first to sponsor our regional tournament in Kenema, which was named the Say No To Drugs Basketball Tournament. Since then, the partnership has grown, and we have benefited immensely from their generosity.”
He added that the individual trophies would be a significant motivation for players, as it would be the first time such awards are being given during local competitions.
“On behalf of the entire Federation, I thank Ivorian Sillah, Bobor Barrie, and the entire Say No To Drugs campaign team for their continued support,” Hijazi concluded.
The donation underscores the campaign’s broader goal of using sports as a tool to steer young people away from drugs and towards positive lifestyles. BT/9/5/2025
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