By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
232news
Sierra Leone biggest GSM operators, Africell, in collaboration with Street Child Sierra Leone yesterday 4th December 2022 staged one of the best marathons in the country where hundreds participated.
The marathon which started at Lumley Beach was set up in three categories: Half Marathon, 10Km and 5Km which each categories have prizes for first to third positions.
The marathons attracted the Mayor of Freetown, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, the Lebanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone and the United States Embassy in Freetown.
Before the marathon, Africell updated members of the press on this year’s ‘Freetown Africell Marathon’ on the 1st December where the company’s gave an overview of the event chaired by Africell Assistant Media Manager, Nancy L Toure at the company’s Wilberforce Headquarters, Abdul Aziz Kamara-Head of Events and Sponsorship.
Africell underscored that the Freetown Africell Marathon was launched on November 9th, by the Chairman of Africell Mr. Ziad Dallou during his recent visit to Sierra Leone.
“It’s an event that seeks to promote healthy wellbeing and sports. Athletics is the second most popular sport in the world and in Sierra Leone. We want to make sure opportunities are giving to talented athletes to showcase their talent and have the platform to take their skills to the world stage. This will not be a one-off marathon. It’s something we plan on doing every year. The Africell Freetown Marathon, he stated adding ““This is why we are collaborating with the Sierra Leone Athletics Association who will not only be responsible for providing us with the officials but also helped with mapping out the route for the categories (5K, 10K and half Marathon).”
He noted that a total of 523 People has signed up 356-5K, 98-10K, and 60 – Half Marathon so far of which to sign up its *277# and that the participating fees are NLe 50.00 for 5K, NLe 75.00 for 10K, and NLe 100.00 for Half Marathon.
He also stated that the starting time is 6pm “We have arranged for 3 Ambulances and 50 First Aiders from the Sierra Leone Red Cross to help us with the 3 routes on Sunday. They will not only be deployed at the various water stations but also along the routes to ensure first aid is given swiftly to whoever needs it. We will also have our Doctor to provide treatment to those who needs it. We will also have vendors who will be selling food, drinks and body boasters one might need on the race day. We want an atmosphere where after running through your distance of choice, one can relax and have a drink with friends. We encourage you all to bring your friends and family and let’s create history together.
He also disclosed that athlete is part of a club that is registered will the SLAA will have free to entry into all the categories and that they will be provided with pass, the package which includes the T-shirt, cap bag and water bottle, adding that they are doing it because of the partnership they’ve started with the SLAA.”
In his statement, the Head of Marketing, Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA), Domrick Moore thanked Africell for organising the event in collaboration with the Street Child Sierra Leone, noting that they will help in the supervisory role, provide technical supports for whatever event.
“This marathon is going to be one of the biggest not only in Sierra Leone but the sub region because for us, we are blessed to have the route manager who is the only one n the sub region that have the license to draw routes when it comes to marathon nationally and internationally. The role of the association is that we are going to provide the pathway for this marathon to be recognised internationally because we are the only body charged with the responsibility to do that so we want say thank you very much to Africell for coming up with this marathon”.
The Country Director of Street Child, Mr Kelfa Kargbo thanked the management of Africell for supporting and hosting the Freetown Africell Marathon, encouraging Sierra Leoneans to register to participate in the marathon as it is good for the health of all.
