01 February, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – At the general meeting of the NOC members held at the OlymAfrica center Godrich, the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Dr. Patrick Coker told members that the year 2020 was a challenging year.
This he said was due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the world which affected sporting activities and general travel.
He went on that this force them to reduce working days at NOC to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Before the lockdown, he said they gave small purse to NOC staffs.
The Committee he said employed two staffs to replace the two that retired from work. Due to the virus outbreak, he said it was not a surprise when the Olympic Games were postponed, a decision which he said ANOCA joined other countries to applaud the decision.
Beside the Coronavirus outbreak, he said they successfully took part in several conference through webinar jointly organized by WADA and ANOCA for NOCs NASOs and athletics Commissions.
The president also explained about scholarships they awards to athletes and several other things. He explained about a portion of land that was given to them by the government in Siaka Steven Stadium compound. He told the members that they will be building the NOC headquarter and an indoor court at the land as soon as they receive the money.
The Secretary General Joseph Nyande also outlined events by NOC in 2020 and plans ahead for 2021. The treasurer of NOC Prince Sualley explained about the funds they received and how they spent then.
The Chef De Mission Unisa Deen Kargbo updated the members about the latest on the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He told them that the deadline date to register athletes is on the 16th February this year. The Coordinator of the OlymAfrica center Frank Turay explained about their own constrains and activities they did. Below is the full statement of the NOC President:
Welcome and thanks for attending this face to face meeting.
2020 was a very challenging year because of COVID-19. It significantly affected Sporting activities and general travel.
NOC hours had to be reduced and office opened only Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In supporting staff, a small purse was given to all NOC Staff Members just before the Lock Down.
As we had lost Mr. Lumprie Sesay and Mrs Irene Davies – we had interviews in January and their positions well filled by Mr Abdurrahman Sheriff Sesay and Ms Miata FavourTholley as Dean of the Olympic Academy and Secretary respectively.
It was no surprise that the Olympic Games were postponed and ANOCA joined the other continents in applauding the decision.
The Islamic Solidarity Games was also postponed to September this year in Turkey.
Successful webinars were organised jointly by WADA and ANOCA for NOCs, NADOs and Athletes’ Commissions.
Sierra Leone joined other NOCs in celebrating the ”WORLD CLEAN UP DAY” for Africa 19th September. We had the moral support of APRONG and the Minister of the Environment.
As the President of the Medical Commission of ANOCA, a Webinar for NOC’s Medical Commission and Medical Practitioners in Sports was organised in October; as well as a Safe Sports Webinar for NOC’s.
With the creation of the National Sports Authority; the NOC applied for registration and recognition and the certificate of registration has been received.
With the acquisition of a plot of land at the Stadium Complex, the EXCO was invited in November 2020 to visit the proposed NOC Headquarters Site. The NSA was represented by Mr Alie Sesay and the Deputy Minister of Sport., Mr Kai Lawrence Mbayo , was also present.
The NOC was in attendance at the Teqball function at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, where new tables etc. were distributed to newly formed associations.
We had an invitation to the 1st meeting during COVID in Addis Ababa to attend an Extra Ordinary General Assembly of ANOCA; but flight problems prevented us from attending.
The ANOCA Zone II organised a seminar for Women in Sports in Conakry, Guinea late December and invited 4 (four) Women and the Secretary General, Mr Joseph Nyande attended. The women were led by the President of the Women and Sports Commission, Mrs Pamela Williams.
With the lifting of the ban on Sporting Activities in Sierra Leone; and with the Olympic Games near at hand – training of athletes will commence.
Luckily, we were able to secure 5 (five) Olympic scholarships for athletes preparing for the Games; 2 (two) Athletes Training in the United States and 2 (two) in Senegal (Athletics) and 1 (one) in Wrestling.
The good relationship with the IOC and Olympic Solidarity was maintained. We will continue to cherish this bond and hope our coaches and athletes will benefit from their programs.
We continue to reach out to the CGF and participated in the last General Assembly- virtually. We are looking forward to benefit from their internship programme
ANOCA has continued to support us morally as well as financially. Some funds were donated for our COVID Assistance Programme and we expect some support for the final lap of training for our Olympic Games Athletes.
Our NOC/CGA continues to enjoy a cordial bond with the Ministry of Sports; and we hope this would be the same with the newly formed National Sports Authority. Wishes of a good year. Take COVID serious and STAY SAFE.
