By Sigismond Nicol
President of the Sierra Leone karate Association, Victor E Amara, has presented the medals which they won in the just concluded West Africa Zone II championship as a way of appreciating the ministry for the unwavering support they gave to them during the championship.
During the presentation ceremony, the president said they were able to bring home 6 Gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals. They also produced 2 international referees and 4 international coaches, for the first time in the history of Sierra Leone to have female gold & silver medalist.
Some of the medalists attended the presentation ceremony and others were absent because most of them are still students.
Victor Amara junior 1 gold and 1 silver, Foday A. Kamara 1 gold and bronze, Abdulai Koroma 1 gold, Victor Amara 1gold medal, Dennis 2 silver, Anthony 2 silver medals
The Director of Sports Haroun Korjie appreciated the leadership of the Sierra Leone Karate Association for making them proud of such magnificent work they have done.
“For those who were at the budget discussion, we have said they need to give support to all associations across the board. This is now made clear here, of course, football and other associations are also representing Sierra Leone. For us as a ministry and the Agency, it’s a must for us to give equal opportunity to everyone because there are various talents across the sporting disciplines.
“For these talents to work it must involve some form of discipline, some form of training, some form of culture because every sport has its own rules and regulations so I just want to use this opportunity on behalf of our dynamic minister of sports to cheer the leadership of the Karate Association.
“We are looking at the third vision of the Ministry that comprises all sporting associations, including the physically challenged and empowering women, etc.”
He said others should follow the excellent record of the lady who won gold.
“Without much ado, on behalf of the minister, the director, the ministry, and the NSA, we will continue to support you, and you will bring more laurels. But sports is not only by doing physical exercise but it has to do with the culture of patriotism and nationalism,” he said.
The minister of sports Ibrahim Nyelenkeh in his message to the president and the karate association congratulated them and gave them a warmly welcome for a job well done.
He said he has no doubt in the president of the Association.
“God will always be in his hide, as karate is one of the sporting disciplines that he loves. During the 90s he was the secretary general called the full force. I sometimes participate in self-defense but it’s now good that it has been resuscitated. We can now see karate has taken the lead on medals so I just want to say a big thank you and assured you that this government will continue to support you. So continue to be focused and resilient. When you are focused, you can achieve more.”
