PRES. SUALLEY COMMENDS NOC’S PROGRESS IN SPORT

By Morlai Sesay

During the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone (CGA-SLE) Annual General Assembly (AGM) held at the Country Lodge Hotel, Hill Station, Freetown, President Prince Sualley expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of various commissions within the NOC.

President Sualley acknowledged the relentless efforts of those leading key commissions, including the Legal and Ethic Commission led by Martin Momoh Bangura, President of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association, and the Marketing Commission led by Ahmed Khanou of the Volleyball Federation of Sierra Leone. He praised their contributions to the overall progress of the NOC.

The NOC President highlighted the Olympic Solidarity fund's significant role as the main funding source for the NOC’s administration and programs. He emphasized how this funding has led to remarkable improvements in the capacity of NOC members, providing athletes, coaches, managers, and administrators with opportunities to enhance their skills.

As part of his five-point plan, President Sualley pledged to bridge the gender gap by promoting female leadership. He thanked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) for their advice and guidance to NOC members. President Sualley particularly thanked Thomas Bach and Mustapha Berraf, the President of ANOCA, for their invaluable leadership insights.

President Sualley also highlighted collaborations with the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority (NSA), and the Anti-doping bodies in the country. He mentioned a productive meeting with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Sports, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative relationship to develop Sierra Leone’s sporting ecosystem.

Quoting the theme of the congress, “The road to success is always under construction,” President Stanley urged every member to continue their hard work to build an NOC capable of producing elite athletes capable of winning medals at the highest stage. He noted the progress made over the past year, including new office space, a brand-new website, new commissions, new female leaders, and improved capacity among members.

President Sualley concluded by celebrating the selfless service of two predecessors, Henry G Moore and Dr. Patrick Coker, whose contributions laid the foundation for the continued progress of the NOC and sports in Sierra Leone. He confirmed that 67 percent of NOC activities in Sierra Leone received accolades from the International Olympic Committee, emphasizing that collective efforts are needed for further success.

The AGM, chaired by Joseph Nyandae, Secretary General of NOC/CGA-SLE, marked a pivotal occasion for collaboration and discussions about the future of sports in the country under President Prince Sualley’s leadership.