By Foday Moriba Conteh
NP Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Squash Association and the Sierra Fishing Company has on Thursday 27th April, 2023 concluded a one day Inter Secondary School Squash Tournament. The Tournament, which brought together 13 secondary schools and over 100 pupils within the Freetown Municipality, was held at the Sierra Leone Grammar School Squash Court in Freetown.
At the end of the tournament, Emmanuel K. Bright from Services Junior Secondary School Wilberforce won the Under 14 male category, Alim Fofanah from Services Junior Secondary School Wilberforce won the Under 16 female category, Brian P. Johana from St. Edwards Secondary School won the under 16 male category etc.
In his address, the President of the Sierra Leone Squash Association expressed appreciation to NP Sierra Leone for staging the Inter Secondary School Squash Tournament which he described as very important towards the development of squash in the country.
He further applauded the company for the construction and rehabilitation of Squash Courts in different schools by the company.
The President said the Association has been working towards encouraging people to find passion in playing squash in the country, adding that they have over the years supported pupils to learn squash which he said they will continue to do.
He concluded by congratulating all the winning schools and also encouraged the losing schools to intensify their trainings.
In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of NP-Sierra Leone, Kobi Walker, said that during the handing over of the newly refurbished Squash facilities to the St. Edwards Secondary School and the Sierra Leone Grammar School the company informed the gathering that in fulfilling the company’s tradition they informed all that they will be staging an Inter Secondary School competition of which he said the tournament is in fulfillment of that promise.
He said that during the tournament he saw the passion in the pupils and applauded them for developing such a passion for the game of squash.
Kobi Walker said that he is gratified that squash is been played by pupils and that by doing so they will be able to catch them early.
He said that with the performance manifested by the pupils during the tournament he is convinced that the investment NP Sierra Leone has made in building squash courts in 4 secondary schools and one at Fourah Bay College will definitely improve the game in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer concluded by assuring all present that the company will continue its investments in squash in the country.
Pupils who participated in the competition showered praises on NP Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Squash Association and the Sierra Fishing Company for staging the inter secondary school squash competition which they described as very important towards their development as squash players in the country.
They pleaded with the above institutions to continue in that regard of which they also pleaded with them to give them training opportunities as pupils.
The tournament was concluded by the presentation of trophies, medals and certificates to the participants. The Sierra Leone Squash Association also used the opportunity to award individuals as Ambassadors with medals including the Chief Executive Officer of NP Sierra Leone, Kobi Walker, who has been consistently supporting squash in the country.
