By AE Bangura (Pablo)
NP-Sierra Leone Limited is the proud sponsor of the third edition of the inter-secondary school squash tournament held at the St Edwards Secondary School grounds at Kingtom in Freetown.
The two-day tournament kicked off in grand style on Thursday, 5 June, involving 16 schools drawn from across Freetown, and placed into eight different categories – four for boys and four for girls.
These 8 categories ranged from under 12, under 14, under 16, to under 18.
For the Under 12 category, the first position for girls went to Chiwo Mansaray from Blossom Academy, whilst Mohamed Salah from the Lebanese International School took the first position in the boys category.
In the Under 14 category, Hajaratu Mansaray (FSSG), won the first position for the girls, and Peter B.L. Conteh (WAM Collegiate) won the first position for the boys.
Isatu Mansaray (MGHS) took the first position in the Under-16 girls category, while Mohamed Dawish (Lebanese International School) won in the boys’ category.
Alima Fofanah (Vine Memorial Secondary School) came first in the Under-18 category for girls, and Michael Koroma (Sierra Leone Grammar School) clinched the first position in the boys’ category.
Prizes were distributed on the second and final day of the tournament – Friday 6 June – by the President of the Squash Association, Mohamed Sahid, and Dr. Williette James, among others.
President Mohamed Sahid expressed his gratitude towards NP-SL Limited for their continued support towards squash, and that he is looking forward to similar support in the coming years. He concluded by encouraging the pupils to continue playing squash sport as they will always have his support.
Earlier, on day one, at the opening of the tournament, the chairperson of the program, Isatu Nana Bangura, welcomed everyone and expressed her gratitude to the hosts, St Edwards Secondary School. She assured everyone of a successful squash sports meet, and for all the participants to enjoy themselves and conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner
While a representative from the Squash Association also made similar remarks, adding that they are grateful to the physical education teachers from the various schools for their endurance and also for their courage to ensure these pupils play squash. He welcomed all the pupils into the squash game and the competition and wished everyone good luck.
Dr. Williette PRO James, who deputized NP-Sierra Leone’s CEO (Mr. Saidu Mansaray), said they are happy to sponsor this third tournament, like they did with the first and second.
She expressed her gratitude to the Squash Association, without whose involvement, this third edition would not have been possible.
Dr. Williette James stated that NP-SL is dedicated to sponsoring squash, as it is a game that is very important and beneficial for everyone, especially school children. It’s no surprise that the head of NP-SL also plays squash; and it should also be known that the company has built three squash facilities in Freetown and another one in Bo, with plans to build more across the country, including continuing with their sponsorship of this beautiful game.
“NP-SL Limited is committed to showing that the squash game must be played!” said Dr. James. “So, we are sending a message to the Squash Association with the hope that the competition is not just played once a year, because there is a facility at Fourah Bay College which is not being used. NP-SL Limited wants the Squash Association to ensure that the game is being played at these facilities, so there will be more collaboration in terms of getting the game played.”
She said she hopes in the coming years, the Squash Association will take the inter-secondary school squash competition to the regions – and get them to Freetown for the finals! By then, it will be bigger than this edition in terms of participation and beneficiaries.
Finally, she encouraged the pupils to continue showing this kind of exuberance towards the game and assured them of NP-SL’s sponsorship, in the form of medals, titles, and cash prizes for the respective winners.
While a representative of the St. Edwards Secondary School, Madam Mansaray, vice principal of the JSS, spoke on behalf of the school and extended their appreciation to the sponsors, NP-SL and all participants who made the event a success.
She said St. Edwards School was honoured and grateful at the same time for hosting and witnessing the 3rd edition of the squash competition and sends their appreciation to the PE teacher (Mr. Yayah Kallon) and the pupils for their efforts towards the game and the competition.
She also thanked the other schools for their participation because the squash game and competition are a cooperative thing, with the fact that it helps these pupils physically and mentally.
“The St. Edwards Secondary School hopes to boost the morale of squash in Sierra Leone,” she said. “We hope that the squash game will grow gradually and other schools in the provinces will have the chance to be part of the squash competition. I thank you all.” It is understood that over two hundred thousand leones was spent by NP-SL Limited towards the hosting of this inter-secondary school tournament. Story by AE Bangura (Pablo)
Winners of the Third Edition Inter-Secondary School Squash Tournament held on 5-6 June 2025
This year competition features eight (8) categories;
1~Under 12 boys
2~Under 12 girls
3~Under 14 boys
4~Under 14 girls
5~Under 16 boys
6~Under 16 girls
7~Under 18 boys
8~Under 18 girls
Sixteen (16) Schools Took Part In The 2025 Competition
1~Blossom Academy
2~Christ the King Academy
3~Rising Academy Secondary School
4~Cardim Secondary School (Hill Station)
5~Services School(Wilberforce)
6~Albert Academy
7~The Annie Walsh Memorial School
8~Prince Of Wales
9~St. Edwards Secondary School
10~St. Joseph Secondary School
11~Freetown Secondary School For Girls(FSSG)
12~The Lebanese International School
13~Methodist Girls High School(MGHS)
14~Sierra Leone Grammar School(SLGS)
15~WAM Collegiate Secondary School
16~Vine Memorial
For the Under 12 Girls
3rd Position~Jeneba Konsu (The Annie Walsh Memorial School)
2nd Position~Isha Kargbo(St. Joseph Secondary School)
1st Position~Chiwo Mansaray (Blossom Academy)
For the Under 12 Boys
3rd Position~Daniel Monseray(Services School Wilberforce)
2nd Position~Mohamed Lamin Koroma(Services School Wilberforce)
1st Position~ Mohamed Salah (The Lebanese International School)
For the under 14 Girls
3rd Position~Hassanatu Kallon(FSSG)
2nd Position~Susan Kargbo(Rising Academy)
1st Position~Hajaratu Mansaray (FSSG)
For the Under 14 Boys
3rd Position~Allister Taylor(St.Edwards Secondary School)
2nd Position~Idrissa M Turay(St.Edwards Secondary School)
1st Position~Peter B.L Conteh (WAM Collegiate)
For Under 16 Girls
3rd Position~Sibatu Conteh(Services School Wilberforce)
2nd Position~Margaret Jabbah(MGHS)
1st Position~ Isatu Mansaray (MGHS)
For Under 16 Boys
3rd Position~Paul Kawo(WAM Collegiate Secondary School)
2nd Position~Adam Kargbo(WAM Collegiate Secondary School)
1st Position~ Mohamed Dawish (Lebanese International School)
For Under 18 Girls
3rd Position~Abigail Koroma(MGHS)
2nd Position~Florence Kombay(Christ the King Academy)
1st Position~ Alima Fofonah (Vine Memorial Secondary School)
For Under 18 Boys
3rd Position~Isaiah Kargbo(Prince Of Wales)
2nd Position~Emmanuel Bright(Services School Wilberforce) 1st Position~ Michael Koroma (Sierra Leone Grammar School)
