February 25, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
President Ernest Bai Koroma has expressed his desire to receive the country’s first Olympic medal from the forthcoming 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
The president made his sentiment known Tuesday at State House office, after receiving an invitation from the International Olympic Committee, through the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SL), for the country’s participation in the upcoming games.
In his acceptance address, the president, who also doubles as President of the National Sports Council, urged both the NOC-SL and athletes to start preparation in earnest to ensure the country, this time around, secure a medal from the games.
He said: “I hope we will have medalists from the Olympic Games this year. We want Sierra Leone not only to be represented but to come with flying colours.”
President Koroma also assured of his government’s continued support and urged compatriots, through the Ministry of Sports, to work very hard so the country will achieve its goal at the games.
The country’s Chef de’ Mission, Unisa Deen Kargbo, said he was confident Sierra Leone will have more chances in this year’s Olympic Games, adding that there are lot of expectations of getting more qualified athletes in the games, compared to previous games.
Kargbo said: “We hope to get more athletes and chances to the Olympic Games this year unlike the previous two games in China and London in which we’ve only competed with only two unqualified athletes.”
Sierra Leone’s Chef de’ Mission said qualification tournaments are at present ongoing for the various sporting disciplines like wrestling, beach volleyball, swimming and few others, adding that he hoped athlete can secure Olympic qualification spot.