By Mahamood Fofana
The first edition of the Makeni Mountain Bike Championship concluded in grand style, signaling a major boost for competitive cycling in Makeni and the wider Northeast region of Sierra Leone. The event drew riders from various categories and showcased the growing enthusiasm for mountain biking as both a sport and a tourism attraction.
The championship, an initiative of CEO and Founder Sheikh Njai Kamara, was inspired by his experiences in the diaspora. According to Kamara, the vision is to position Makeni as a destination for adventure sports tourism by leveraging its natural landscape and mountainous terrain. He noted that mountain cycling has the potential to attract visitors, stimulate local businesses, and promote healthy lifestyles among young people.
The competition featured multiple categories in line with standards associated with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), including elite riders, juniors, under-12 cyclists, and athletes with disabilities. Participants navigated challenging mountain trails that tested endurance, technical skills, and resilience.
In the elite category, Alhassan Marrah emerged champion, taking home a cash prize of Five Thousand New Leones (NLe 5,000), a brand-new smartphone, a one-year fitness membership at Focus on Gym and Health, and grooming services from Njai House of Beauty. The event received joint sponsorship from Visit Makeni and Wusum Hotel, whose support contributed to the successful staging of the championship.
Speaking after his victory, Marrah expressed pride in becoming the inaugural champion and encouraged fellow cyclists to intensify their training ahead of the next edition.
In the women’s category, runner-up-2 Mabel Kabia acknowledged the demanding nature of mountain biking compared to road cycling. She described the terrain as physically and technically challenging but said the experience had strengthened her resolve to return stronger and compete for the top prize in future editions.
CEO Sheikh Njai Kamara announced that preparations for the next championship are already underway, promising a bigger and more competitive event. He called on government institutions, private sector partners, and non-governmental organizations to support the initiative through sponsorship and collaboration.
The successful debut of the Makeni Mountain Bike Championship marks a promising step toward diversifying sports development and promoting eco-tourism in Sierra Leone’s Northeast region.
