BY BOCKARIE ALIEU (232news.com) – SALONE TIMES
The Sierra Leone Karate Federation last Thursday presented trophies and medals to the Directors of the National Sports Authority at their Headquarters at Wilkinson Road in Freetown. The medals they said were won in Dakar, Senegal during the Africa Zone1 competition.
Sierra Leone competed with three other countries who were Senegal (the host), Mali and Guinea. In his speech, the President of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation Victor Edward Amara told the NSA Directors that they were at their office to present the laurels they won in Senegal and thank them for the financial help they render to them.
He went on that in the competition they won three giants trophies, 3 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 11 bronze medals. Victor told them that the money they spent on them motivated them to return home with the laurels they are presenting. Apart from the laurels, he said two of their referees were also certified as international referees.
Victor Amara was also voted as the 1st Vice President of the Africa Region1 executive.
At the end of his speech he presented the medals to the Executive Director of NSA Dr. Kenneth Brima to do a ceremonial presentation to the medalists.
The Executive Director told the athletes that he was proud of their tremendous performance. He went on that he was not surprised as they have been used to winning medals and trophies for the country.
He commended the executive and the coaches of the Karate Federation whom he said are the brains behind the success of the athletes.
He went on that it was no mistake done by President Bio to pour huge money in sports in the country as they are now seeing the good results coming into the country.
He said that it was also a blessing in disguise to form the National Sports Authority as it existence has brought a lot of development in the various sports.
He mentioned about the qualification of the National Football Leone Stars for the nations cup after 25 years. Besides, he said several sports also like Cricket, Volleyball, Athletics and several others have won laurels for the country.
President Bio, he said has spent more money in sports that any other Presidents in Sierra Leone before. He assured them that the mistakes they made will be corrected this time round as such they will make sure that each sports gain from money meant for sports.
The ED assured them that President Bio’s second term in office will see more development in sports. Responding to the Karate president for his appeal to let them see and present the laurels to President Bio, he said it has been a long time plan to let the president talk to the various sports and assured that this time round; he will push for that to happen soon.
Kenneth Brima thanked Sierra Leoneans whose tax money they are using to develop sports. The other Directors who were around also commended the Karate athletes and encourage them to do more.
The media officer for NSA Eric Fomba said with no biasness, Karate is the most decorated sports in Sierra Leone as there is no time they will go out without returning with laurels.
At the end of the various speeches the NSA Directors dress the athletes with the medals and took a group photo with them.
