Sports Minster fires back at Palo Conteh
November 30, 2015 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Minister of Sports, Paul Kamara, has fired back at Rtd. Major Paul Conteh following the latter’s election as President of Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA), that the 20 November election was illegal, thus banning all those who participated in the said congress.
Conteh, who described himself as the ‘Elephant’ after he was elected SLAA boss, said in a statement that he would not tolerate any political interference from anyone, including the Sports Minister.
But barely six days after that warning, the Sports Minister, who is referred to as ‘the Lion’, has in a press statement signed by himself and released on 26 November confirmed the sealing of the SLAA office at the National Stadium, amongst several other decisions taken.
The press statement reads: “The minister and the National Sports Council has unanimously agreed to barricade the office of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA), that all the so called delegates that attended the illegal congress and defied the instruction from the NSC/MOS and the National Olympic Committee are also suspended indefinitely.
“Further they will not participate in any forth-coming meetings, congress of activities the SLAA and other sporting activities.”
Another decision taken, according to the release was the indefinite suspension of the elected vice president from the said illegal congress, Michael Fleix Rowe, as well as Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Volleyball Association (SLVA), Ahmed Khanou.
Until press time, Palo Conteh and his executive were yet to react to the press statement from the Sports Minister. They are also yet to gain recognition from the NOC, whilst the international body, IAAF are yet to make a statement over the ongoing athletics saga in the country.