Orange Sierra Leone, through its Orange for Good Connections campaign, brought together pupils aged between 11 and 16 from eight public and private schools across the Western Area for a football tournament and drama competition aimed at raising awareness about cyberbullying and excessive screen time.
Held on Saturday, 13 June 2026, at the Amputees Training Field on Lumley Beach in Freetown, the event was organized under the theme, “Together Against Online Hate.” The initiative provided a vibrant platform for young people to engage in meaningful discussions about responsible digital behaviour while participating in sports and creative performances.
Participating schools included Prince of Wales School, Saint Edward’s Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Methodist Girls High School, Annie Walsh Memorial School, Limount College, Providence International School and Bilingual High School.
The event went beyond competition, creating a safe and engaging environment where students could connect, collaborate and reflect on their online habits. By combining sport and storytelling, Orange Sierra Leone encouraged participants to step away from screens and embrace real-life interactions that promote healthy relationships and personal development.
Through drama performances, students highlighted the emotional and psychological effects of cyberbullying while advocating for kindness, empathy and responsible use of digital platforms. The football tournament, on the other hand, promoted teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship and mutual respect among participants.
Speaking at the event, Orange Sierra Leone’s Director of Strategic Transformation and Marketing, Abdramane Kone, encouraged young people to harness the opportunities offered by digital technology to create positive change in society.
Also addressing participants, the company’s Head of Communication, Branding and Sponsorship, Philip Emeh, reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to youth empowerment and responsible digital citizenship.
“This initiative is about encouraging young people to step away from harmful online spaces and engage in more meaningful, real-life interactions. Through teamwork and sportsmanship, we are sending a clear message against cyberbullying and promoting responsible digital behaviour,” he said.
The event also demonstrated the dedication of participating students, many of whom travelled long distances and incurred personal transportation costs to attend. Their commitment reflected the growing awareness among young people of the need to address online challenges and foster positive social interactions.
Participants praised the initiative for tackling issues that directly affect their daily lives. Mohamed Chernor Fofana, captain of Providence International School, said excessive use of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram can negatively impact academic performance and expose young people to cyberbullying.
“Many young people spend a lot of time on platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram. This can affect our studies, and cyberbullying is a real issue. This program helps us reflect on our actions and encourages us to treat each other with respect,” he noted.
The football tournament produced exciting moments, with both finals decided through penalty shootouts after highly competitive matches. Providence International School emerged champions in the boys’ category, defeating Saint Edward’s Secondary School 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw.
In the girls’ category, Methodist Girls High School secured a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Bilingual High School after a closely contested encounter, demonstrating resilience, determination and skill.
Methodist Girls High School also emerged victorious in the drama competition, delivering a powerful performance that effectively highlighted the dangers of cyberbullying and the importance of responsible digital behaviour.
Winning teams in both categories received cash prizes of NLe10,000, while runners-up were awarded NLe5,000 in recognition of their achievements, sportsmanship and commitment throughout the competition.
Beyond the excitement of the day’s activities, the initiative underscored a broader objective of promoting respectful online communities and encouraging young people to build stronger offline relationships. Through programmes such as Orange for Good Connections, Orange Sierra Leone continues to play a leading role in fostering responsible digital citizenship and empowering the next generation to use technology safely, responsibly and with empathy.
