One of Sierra Leone’s leading iron ore mining companies, Marampa Mines Limited, has reaffirmed its commitment to sports development through its corporate social responsibility efforts, bringing renewed excitement to the country’s tennis scene by sponsoring the successful 2026 National Tennis Championship.
The tournament, held from March 30 to April 11 across Hill Station Tennis Club, LOR Tennis Club and Juba Golf Club in Freetown, concluded with a thrilling finale that left spectators captivated.
The men’s singles final delivered high drama as Sierra Leone’s top-ranked player, Bassey Kargbo, staged a remarkable performance to defeat Mohamed Kamara, popularly known as Sallah, in a gripping three-set encounter. Kargbo successfully defended his title, securing back-to-back national championships with a hard-fought 6-1, 4-6, 6-5 victory in a match that lasted nearly four hours.
Kargbo dominated the opening set with strong serves and resilience under pressure, while Kamara responded fiercely in the second set, displaying aggressive backhand play and well-executed drop shots to level the contest. The final set proved decisive, with both players showcasing exceptional skill and determination. With the match finely poised, the players agreed to a tiebreak, where Kargbo held his nerve to seal victory in what many described as one of the most competitive finals in recent years.
In the women’s singles category, Adama Kargbo emerged victorious after a commanding performance against Haja Dauda. Having won the first set 6-1, Kargbo was awarded the match after Dauda was forced to retire due to severe stomach pain in the second set.
The championship, organised by the Sierra Leone Tennis Association under the leadership of its President Andy Bam, was staged in collaboration with Marampa Mines Limited, with additional support from Qcell Sierra Leone, Korlie Limited, Barrie Help and the Ivorian Sillas Foundation’s “Say No to Drugs Campaign.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Andy Bam expressed satisfaction with the successful hosting of the tournament, commending sponsors for their continued investment in the growth of tennis in Sierra Leone. He also acknowledged the contributions of coaches, officials and players whose efforts ensured a highly competitive championship.
Minister of Sports, Augusta James-Teima, praised the association for its progress, noting that sports development in the country extends beyond football.
“It is important to recognise that we have many sporting disciplines excelling beyond football,” she said. “I am delighted to witness the energy and talent displayed here today. Though the matches were long, they were equally exciting.”
She further lauded sponsors, particularly Marampa Mines Limited, for their support, describing tennis as a viable and widely appreciated sport, while urging stakeholders to maintain unity and collaboration for sustained growth.
In the junior categories, standout performers included Muctarr Sannoh (U-12 boys), Daniel Kargbo (U-14 boys), Susan Kargbo (U-14 girls), Morlai Bangura (U-16 boys), and Mohamed Kamara (U-18 boys), alongside several runners-up who also impressed throughout the competition.
The tournament concluded with the presentation of trophies, medals and cash prizes to winners and runners-up across all categories, marking the end of a highly successful championship and reinforcing the growing appeal of tennis in Sierra Leone.
