By Bockarie Allieu
FREETOWN, Aug 6 (SALONE TIMES) – The Sports Minister of Sierra Leone Ibrahim Nyelenkeh told the athletes that even though they did not qualify to the next stage, the government is proud about their performance. He went on that they were proud of them because they did not do anything that could bring shame to Sierra Leone like other countries did in Japan. Mistakes he said are liable to be corrected as such he said they should be now thinking of how to correct these mistakes when they return back home. The Minister assured the athletes that the government was ready to support them in meaningful competitions that could bring laurels to the country. Nyelenkeh continued that Sierra Leone did not win medals but the name of Sierra Leone is now in the record books that Sierra Leone competed in Tokyo 2020 Games with qualified athletes. Besides, Sierra Leone can now be proud of four Olympians who are still young and they have learnt gained a lot of experience which they will use in upcoming competitions. The people back home he said are proud of their performance and they too should now add more effort to start winning laurels for the country. He went on that on that they are lucky having a head of State who loves Sports and ready to spend the last penny on Sports development. Nyelenkeh thanked God that he too was in Japan and saw good things about sports and constrains they underwent due to the COVID disease in the whole world. The Minister said he saw point blankly what makes sports develop which is investing in facilities. This he said is in the manifesto of President Bio and they will soon start to work on constructing playing grounds, indoor courts and several facilities needed to develop Sports in the country. To the fans he said he knew their hope was to let the athletes win medals but he said Rome was not built in a day as such he said they should patient as he believe the experience they have learnt in this Games will enable them to go far in upcoming in upcoming international competitions. The athletes in return told the Minister that they have put their disappointing situation behind and they were ready to work hard when they return and fight back to win laurels for Sierra Leone. The Chef De Mission Unisa Deen Kargbo remind them about the Commonwealth Games which will take place in Birmingham next year. In this case he said he is not the one that will be choosing athletes for the Games but their various associations. He advised them to start working hard now if they want to represent Sierra Leone next year.
