Sport in Sierra Leone
Sports are an important part ofSierra Leoneansociety andFootballis the most played sport in the country.Athletics,basketball,boxingandcricketare also common sports in the country. Sierra Leone became the first African country to joinInternational Floorball Federation.
Football in Sierra Leone[edit]
Footballis by far the most popular sport inSierra Leone.TheSierra Leone national football team,governed by theSierra Leone Football Association,is popularly known as the Leone Stars and represents the country in international football competitions. Though the team has never qualified for theFIFA World Cup,they did participate in the1994and1996 African Cup of Nations.
Basketball in Sierra Leone[edit]
TheSierra Leone national basketball teamrepresentsSierra Leonein international men'sbasketballcompetitions and is controlled by the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation. The squad is mostly home-based, with few foreign-based players.
Cricket in Sierra Leone[edit]
TheSierra Leone cricket teamrepresents the countrySierra Leonein internationalcricketmatches. They became an affiliate member of theInternational Cricket Councilin 2002.[1]They made their international debut at the 2004 African Affiliates Championship, finishing last out of the eight teams. They returned at the equivalent tournament in 2006, Division Three of theAfrican regionof theWorld Cricket League,where they had a major improvement, finishing as runners-up toMozambique,and only just missing out on promotion to Division Two.
Scuba diving and sport fishing[edit]
Watersports and recreational activities in the recent years have brought about a dynamic presence ofScuba DivingandSport Fishing.Historical shipwrecks can be explored in shallow waters while the vibrant aquatic life makes a colorful dive. The dense fish stock encourages anglers from around the world to try their luck with world record catches. The best area for scuba diving and sport fishing isBanana Island.
Yoga in Sierra Leone[edit]
As of 2014,yoga"is becoming increasingly popular," thanks to the efforts of an organization called "Yoga Strength" headed by Tamba Fayla, a former child soldier who has become "the country's first qualified yoga teacher".[1]
Sierra Leoneans abroad[edit]
Many Sierra Leonean diaspora are involved in professional sports.
Active Sierra Leonean diaspora includeMohamed Sanuof theAtlanta FalconsandKei Kamaraof theColorado Rapids.
Another prominent sportsperson isMadieu Williams.Williams, who was born in Sierra Leone in 1981, is anAmerican footballstartingsafetywith theMinnesota Vikingsin theUnited States.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Yoga in Sierra Leone".BBC News - In pictures.2014-06-10.Retrieved2014-07-04.
