Aquatics visit Olympics and Commonwealth bodies
By Reginald Brian O. Sawyerr
Sierra Leone Aquatics formerly known as Swimming federation paid a courtesy call on the National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association Sierra Leone (NOC/CGA) headquarters on the 16th January 2024.
The delegation consisting of 9 members including the President Mohamed Turay, Secretary General Abdul Turay, Public Relations Officer Reginald Brian O. Sawyerr, Women Representatives Hawa Dauda etc. received a warmth welcome from the President Prince Sualley and Treasurer Unisa Deen Kargbo.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Sierra Leone Aquatics said the reason they came to the NOC is because they see the NOC as a parent body and for them to operate effectively they need the support of the NOC.
He further stated that this 2024 is an Olympic Year for the Paris Olympic Games and as a national federation with potential qualified athletes they need to always liaise with the NOC for their expertise in promoting sport development.
The meeting served as a platform for open dialogue, where both parties emphasized their shared vision for promoting aquatic sports and nurturing Sierra Leonean talent in the pool.
Speaking on the progress made on female participation in Aquatics, Hawa Dauda the female representative of Sierra Leone Aquatics highlighted the moves she had made going around the provinces identifying female talents in aquatics and encouraging these young girls to take the sport as their career.
Addressing the Aquatics delegation, President of NOC/CGA Sierra Leone Prince Sualley commended the Sierra Leone Aquatics for the good job they have been doing in promoting sport development and they need to be emulated by other Sport Associations. He spoke about how impressed he is about the Aquatics hour that is shown on the Aquatics online TV on every Wednesday giving current updates about all activities done within the Association. He expressed his commitment to supporting aquatic athletes’ participation in future continental and global events in due time.
He encouraged them to keep on the good work as that is a step in right direction. In his closing remarks he admonished the Sierra Leone Aquatics and other sport associations to always visit the NOC Headquarters and make it their home as the NOC has an open door policy to all sporting disciplines in the country. This visit wasn’t just a courtesy call; it was a ripple of hope, promising a brighter future for swimming in Sierra Leone and inspiring a generation of young athletes to dream big and dive into their potential.
The visit was culminated by the presentation of the World Aquatics flag to the NOC President by the President of Sierra Leone Aquatics.
