By Mary Kabay
A nationwide football mini-tournament themed: “Goal for Safe Migration” has officially kicked off in the Portee community in Freetown, launching a major awareness campaign aimed at combating irregular migration, human trafficking and gender-based violence (GBV) across Sierra Leone. Supported by the Government of Sweden through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the month-long initiative runs from 1–20 December 2025 and is expected to engage thousands of young people from high-risk urban and peri-urban communities.
The opening match at Portee set an energetic tone for the tournament, drawing huge crowds as the triumphed over Peacock Farm. Sixteen teams representing 11 communities, including Lumley, Goderich, Congo Market, King Tom, Kroo Bay, Wellington, Calaba Town and Waterloo, will compete in knockout rounds leading to semi-finals on 17–18 December and a grand finale on 20 December.
Organizers say football was deliberately chosen because of its unmatched influence among Sierra Leonean youth. They emphasized that the sport’s popularity provides a powerful platform to reach vulnerable groups, counter misinformation spread by traffickers and encourage behavioral change through entertainment-driven education. With many young people vulnerable to false promises of opportunities abroad, the initiative blends recreation with critical conversations on human rights, safe migration and community protection.
Beyond the match results, each game day features a full programme of advocacy, learning and engagement. Officials from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Taskforce Secretariat, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Transnational Organized Crime Unit and IOM conduct awareness sessions to deepen public understanding of trafficking tactics, signs of exploitation and available support services. Theatre groups perform dramatized stories inspired by real cases of trafficking, while returned migrants share testimonies to help young people recognize the dangers of irregular routes.
One of the most symbolic components of the event is the “Orange the World” halftime segment held in solidarity with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Spectators wave orange ribbons to show unity in ending GBV, while advocates highlight how gender-based violence often intersects with trafficking and unsafe migration. After the performances, volunteers distribute information leaflets on GBV referral pathways, legal migration channels and community reporting mechanisms.
IOM Officer in Charge for Sierra Leone, Pauline Macharia, described the launch at Portee as a milestone in community-centred outreach. “Football has a unique power to unite, inspire and educate,” she said. “This tournament gives us the opportunity to directly reach young people, reduce misinformation and offer hope through safer alternatives. Seeing communities come together, both in competition and learning, reflects a true victory for awareness and prevention.”
A representative of the ATIP Secretariat also commended the initiative, urging communities to remain vigilant. “The fight against trafficking requires awareness, reporting and solidarity,” he noted. “Young people must recognize the signs of danger and seek legitimate opportunities. When communities work together, traffickers lose their influence.”
Organisers stress that the initiative also promotes positive masculinity, teamwork and discipline; values that counter harmful social norms contributing to violence and exploitation. The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), a partner in the campaign, uses match-day “special message” segments to reinforce the importance of respect, unity and fair play, both on and off the field.
As the competition progresses across Freetown and Waterloo, early feedback suggests that the model is already making an impact. Community leaders report increased awareness of trafficking risks, greater understanding of GBV reporting systems and stronger connections between service providers and at-risk youth. Parents, spectators and young players say they now feel more informed about how traffickers operate and more empowered to challenge unsafe migration narratives circulating within their communities.
On Monday December 8, the Portee community set the tone with an emphatic win against Peacock Farm. The victory energized spectators and highlighted the tournament’s blend of sport and civic education. Organisers say the opening day demonstrated how football can be effectively linked with development messaging while fostering pride and solidarity among young people.
The “Goal for Safe Migration” initiative is expected to deliver lasting benefits by improving knowledge of safe migration pathways, strengthening community vigilance, expanding GBV awareness and providing healthy recreational opportunities that build resilience. Primary beneficiaries are youth aged 15–30, though parents and community leaders also play key roles in amplifying and sustaining the messages.
As the fixtures unfold, organizers hope that the momentum generated in Portee will spread across all participating communities. The tournament continues to demonstrate how football, long a unifying force in Sierra Leone, can serve as a dynamic tool for education, transformation and youth empowerment. Through collective effort and strong community engagement, the initiative aims to inspire informed choices, prevent exploitation and strengthen national efforts to protect Sierra Leone’s youth from the dangers of irregular migration, human trafficking and gender-based violence.
