By Mary Kabay
Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Association held its General Assembly meeting on October 23, 2021 at the Negus Nagas Complex, along the Grafton highway in Freetown.
As the national governing body for all aquatic sports in the country the association has sole rights for the development, growth and promotion of these sports at all levels locally and internationally. The sports that are associated to the organization includes: swimming, diving, water polo and open water.
The Congress was open with words of prayers from the Christian and Islamic faiths respectfully. Head of Communications of the Association, Judah Kamara, warmly welcomed all present.
Mohamed Abdul Turay, Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Association started off with the roll call of all the delegates that were present and announced the continuation of the deliberations of the Congress.
Percy AJ Nicholson, Coordinator of Sea Scout Association-Sierra Leone chaired the Congress. He welcomed the brief statement made by the Head of Media and Communications of the National Sports Authority, Eric Batillo Fomba.
On his part Eric Batillo Fomba. Stated how he was also pleased with the Association and thanked its members for the way they have been comporting themselves.
He congratulated Titi Dumbuya for raising the flag of Sierra Leone high at the national level and disclosed to the members of the Association that the swimming discipline has been added to the 16 sporting disciplines that the Government is sponsoring ending his statement by thanking the outgoing Executive while encouraging the new Executive that will replace it to follow the footsteps of their predecessors and do more for the Association.
Chief Michael Shamsu Mustapha, a representative from the National Olympic Committee stated his appreciation for the way the Association had been running its affairs disclosing that his duty is to monitor the progress of the elections.
In his keynote statement, Mohamed Abdul Turay, the then Secretary General of the Association, on behalf of the President who was absent said in recent years they have been fraught with many challenges, many of which have been beyond the control of not only our country but the world at large.
He pointed out how the Ebola outbreak saw a great lull in sporting activities within the country especially at a time when the Association was poised to step up its activities and projects with greater momentum to expand the sport nationally.
“When Ebola was declared ended in March 2016, the National Olympics Committee initiated a week-long Sport Jamboree which re-ignited sporting activities in the country and saw the SLSDWA introduce Water Polo to the public,” he continued stating how that was one of the major highlights of the event revealing that the Association went further to organize a coaching session for potential coaches for the sport.
He highlighted that throughout his tenure, they have been challenged by lack of financial resources, only mitigated by the introduction of an annual grant by the world Body, FINA from which the Association has benefitted over the past three years.
“The impact of both Ebola and Corona on the country’s economy meant that even well-meaning individuals that used to support the Association in the past could no longer do so as their businesses had suffered during both onslaughts,” he lamented disclosing were it not for the support from FINA, it would have been very difficult for the Association to carry out any activity.
He also acknowledged the sterling efforts of the Executive team that would go out of their way to use private funds to supplement whatever was allocated to the swimmers as stipends or trainings costs.
According to the Secretary General of the Association members of the team can stand up and hold their heads high for some key achievements over the past few years, namely, putting Sierra Leone on the international map by taking part in the World Games held in Brazil, the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Guangdong, South Korea and recently during the Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
He said while some swimmers may not have acquired laurels during those competitions there is no doubt that one could imagine the amount of joy that is generated when the millions of Sierra Leoneans worldwide are watching these international sporting events see the green, white and blue flag of our beloved nation amongst the number of those attending the opening ceremonies.
“I take this opportunity to thank the National Olympic Committee for all the support over the years, and also the Ministry of Sports. I have no doubt that the support will continue even after my tenure of office. It is always good to be steadfast in life, despite the challenges. With Good intentions, the correct focus and God’s favor, there is usually a light at the end of the tunnel,” he announced the activity report .
The Treasurer of the organization, Philip Bangura, read out the Financial Report of the Association dating from its last Congress in October 2017 till October 2021 which is approximately four years.
Climaxing the Congress was the conduct of a peaceful, free and fair election. At the end, eight (8) members were sworn into various positions. Mohamed Abdulia Turay emerged as President, Philip Bangura as Vice President,Kadiatu Kalilu as Treasurer, Abdul Turay as Secretary General, Judah Kamara as Assistance Secretary General, Hawa Dauda a representative for the women, Reginald Brian O. Sawyerr as PRO1and Lydia Tucker as PRO 2.
