By Mahamood Fofana
A new sports-for-development initiative, Beyond Basketball, was officially launched in Freetown on 6th May 2026, with the aim of using basketball as a platform to empower young people and promote social inclusion across Sierra Leone.
The organisation seeks to move beyond competition on the court by addressing challenges affecting young people, particularly those from underprivileged communities, girls, orphans, and persons living with disabilities.
Founder Oladipipo Robbin-Coker said the initiative is built on the belief that while talent is widely available, access to opportunity remains limited for many young Sierra Leoneans.
Through basketball, the organisation hopes to create pathways for discipline, education, confidence-building, health awareness, and stronger community engagement.
As part of its first phase, the project will provide basketball equipment, kits, and essential sporting materials to young people with limited access to resources. According to Coker, this stage is intended to lay the foundation for broader long-term goals, including coaching development, improved sporting facilities, and structured community programmes.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the initiative, Robbin-Coker reflected on how basketball positively transformed his own life by providing direction, structure, and opportunities that once appeared out of reach.
He explained that the experience motivated him to create opportunities for other young people to benefit in similar ways.
He further stressed that Beyond Basketball is not only focused on producing athletes, but also on creating safe and supportive spaces where young people can feel valued, inspired, and connected to a greater purpose.
The organisation places strong emphasis on inclusion, maintaining that access to sports should be meaningful and equitable, especially for children living with disabilities and special needs who are often excluded from mainstream sporting activities.
Stakeholders within Sierra Leone’s basketball community have described the initiative as the beginning of a long-term movement aimed at transforming lives and strengthening communities through the power of sport.
