By Foday Moriba Conteh
During a well-attended meeting held on Sunday 3rd October, 20201 at the Model Secondary School Compound on Berry Street in Freetown, the Kamakwie Marathon Organization (KaMO) officially unveiled its Eco-Tourism Jersey ahead of 2021 Kamakwie Marathon to be hosted in Kamakwie City, Northern Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the Director of Kamakwie Marathon Organization, Alimamy Beddous Bangura disclosed that the organization was formed in 2015 by indigenes of Kamakwie in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone, adding that the aim was to showcase the cultural attributes of the different tribes within Kamakwie through their annual December 24th marathon.
He explained that the organization has been holding their annual marathon event for the last five year but because of the COVID- 19 outbreak, the 2020 edition did not hold but said that this year they are in full gear to hold the 2021 Kamakwie Marathon which is slated to take place on the 24th December 2021 in Kamakwie City Northern Sierra Leone.
Alimamy Beddous Bangura maintained that this year’s event will not be limited to the Marathon activity but feature other activities like a Cultural Trade Fair and many more highlighting that during the Trade Fair residents will have the opportunity to showcase their Arts and Crafts etc.
He stated that as part of their preparation for the upcoming Kamakwie Marathon and Cultural Trade Fair event scheduled to commence on the 20th December, 2021 they will officially reveal that the organization in June this year met with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt in order to seek partnership with the Ministry to showcase the cultural possessions and attractive sites within Kamakwie.
He maintained that during their deliberation the Minister commended the organization for its drive in showcasing what they have.
The Director further pointed out that she further assured them that they will visit Kamakwie in order to get first-hand knowledge about what they are doing and also partner with them in their upcoming December 24, 2021 Marathon event during which time they will interact with and engage the people of Kamakwie on what they have to showcase as far as tourism is concerned pointing out that one of the aims of the Ministry this year is to focus on domestic tourism which is community driven.
He ended by calling on all to support the Kamakwie Marathon Organization in their upcoming activities, adding that members of the public who want to buy the KaMO Eco-Tourism Jersey should contact them at 5 Point Street in Freetown or call +23299 462-968.
The event was climaxed with the official unveiling ceremony of the KaMO Eco-Tourism Jersey and it was done by the Chairman of SeDEP, Saidu Ishmail Kargbo, former Vice President of SeDEP, Laima A.K. Dumbuya and other members.
In his short statement, the former Vice President of SeDEP Laima A.K. Dumbuya applauded the Director of the Kamakwie Marathon Organization, Alimamy Beddous Bangura and his team for the tremendous work they have been doing in contributing to nation building.
He encouraged all to continue to throw their support behind the Kamakwie Marathon Organization of which he urged them to embrace unity among themselves which he said is very key towards the accomplishment of their activities.
