July 7, 2015 By Sahr Morris Jr.
The newly appointed coach of the Sierra Leone national wrestling team, Mohamed Barrie, has set his sights on achieving success in the wrestling World Championship in Las Vegas, United States of America.
The championship will run from September 7-12 and Sierra Leone will join other national wrestling federations affiliated with the United World Wrestling (UWW), provided the country fulfils its financial and information obligations.
Coach Barrie, who qualified the team to the forthcoming World Championship after their recent success in the African Championship, believes the time has come for Sierra Leone to earn a world wrestling title.
“My first target after being appointed national coach was to qualify the team to this year’s World Championship and my fighters did not let me down,” said Barrie. “Now that we have achieved our first goal, the next mission is to secure a world championship medal, which is lacking in our medal store.”
Barrie, a former national team captain, said both Hajaratu Mariama Kamara and Abdulai Salam now need to prove they can compete against the world best fighters, having secured over three African Championship crowns.
He said: “Without doubt both Hajaratu and Salam can do our nation proud at the World Championship. I believe they can spring surprises, we just need to focus on our training and keep the spirit high.”