By Bockarie Allieu
FREETOWN, Nov. 10 (SALONE TIMES) – Few weeks back the Sierra Leone Boxing Association travelled to Belgrade to take part in the AIBA Men’s Boxing Championship. It was the first time ever for the association to take part in such an international competition.
The team failed to win a single fight but did not go out in the first round. The Secretary General of the association Alhaji Komba said it was a learning process even though their aim was to win at least one or two bouts.
Komba went on that their boxers fight against professional boxers who have better facilities than they do have. Besides, he said they learnt a lot of experience which they will be working on.
Komba said even though they did not win a bout their presence in Belgrade showed that there is boxing in Sierra Leone.
The delegation visited the office of the Sports Minister on their arrival. At the office of the Minister, the Secretary General commended the Sports Ministry for a move to provide what they requested for which he said returning home he believed the Ministry will do all they can to reimburse them.
He reminded the Ministry of how the country stand a risk to face suspension by the World Boxing body AIBA if they failed to pay their debts incurred during the competition.
Komba also told the Minister that they left their passports as a collateral to do the COVID test at Lungi when they arrived as they were penniless.
The Sports Minister Nyelenkeh thanked the association for being patriotic and showing love to their country. He commended the team for team spirit and courage even without much money.
Thank you all, he said for flying the Green White and Blue high in Belgrade. He assured the association that the Ministry will forward their budget to Finance Ministry to reimburse them.
The Minister also said he will do his level best to secure their passports from NACOVERC which they left as collateral for them to do the COVID test at the Lungi Airport when they arrive.
