By Bockerie Allieu
FREETOWN, March 11, (SALONE TIMES) – National Sports Authority (NSA) in Sierra Leone in collaboration with Sports Ministry celebrated International Women’s Day with Female sports on Monday 8th March 2021 at the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown.
Because of the COVID19 regulations to avoid body contact, the authority invited only six sports. The six sports where Athletics, Cycling, Beach Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, Roll Ball and Gymnastic. The Athletics female team a marathon from Ferry Junction Kissy Dockyard to the Siaka Steven Stadium.
The Female Cyclists started their race from the stadium to Aberdeen Road and back to the stadium and do five lapses round the main bowl, Beach Volleyball, Roll Ball and Lawn Tennis played one match each.
Also at the stadium the female athletics team run 4*100 Meters and 4*200 Meters race. The Gymnastic ladies also perform at the stadium.
Addressing the female athletes the Executive Director of NSA, Dr. Kenneth Brima told the female athletes that they were celebrating the first ever female sports on International Women’s Day and it will continue in the coming years with bigger activities than this.
He told them that the country has over 40 sports but because of the COVID19 regulations they decided to invite only six sports and live out the contact sports and avoid more crowds. He assured the female athletes that government is ready to develop sports in the country. In this case, he said a lucrative allowance will be giving to team athletes travelling out for tournaments as motivation to win laurels for the country.
The Sports Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh encouraged more women to come into sports as government is asking for 30% of women’s quota in government administration.
He supported the pronouncement of giving fat allowances to sports delegations saying he is ready to approve any request from NSA hence it is in the interest of developing sports in the country.
The Deputy Director of NSA Dr. Abdul Rahman Swaray told the athletes that the key motive behind the celebration is to encourage more women into sports.
He went on that the authority will give them the support they needed in their various sports.
