NOC names 16-man dele for Olympic Games

By Abubakarr Kamara

According to reports reaching KES, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) has sent a 16-man delegation list to the International Olympic Committee ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China in August.

The delegation will leave Freetown early next month with the Minister of Education, Youths and Sports, Dr Mainkailu Bah expected to lead the delegation, followed by the NOC president and secretary general, Mr Henry Moore and David S. Woobay, respectively.

Other members in the delegation include Dr Patrick E-Coker- Medical Doctor, Mr Mohamed A. Kabba- Chief de Mission, Mrs Pamela Williams- female coach, Mr Jimmy Wright- male coach, Solomon Mbayo- male athlete, Michaela Kargbo- female athlete, Mr. Saidu Mansaray –Director of Sports (Guest of the NOC Secretary General), Mrs Jestina Jones (Guest of NOC president), Mr Alpha S. Koker (Guest of the Minister of Sports), Unisa Deen Kargbo- Press Officer and the two campers (names yet to be released).

Speaking to KES, several sports loving Sierra Leoneans were unhappy with the non-participation of Sierra Leone in the Olympic Games. It has been confirmed that the various disciplines in Sierra Leone failed to qualify for the Games and therefore those going to the games are mainly administrators, who would be holding series of meetings with their counterparts while in China.

Mohamed Rahman Sesay, a Sierra Leonean boxer, said he was unhappy that his discipline would not be taking part in the Games even though they have done extremely well in their build up to the summer Games. He said the past government’s inability to sponsor them to the All African Games cost them their qualification for Beijing. He however craved the indulgence of the new government to turn their attention to boxing and other sports for the benefit of the nation.

“Sport is mainly for the youth and if we are encouraged it will take our minds away from negative things,” he said.