By Alieu Amara Suwu
Africell, in partnership with Street Child, has both collaborated to launch a marathon race titled the 2024 Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon on March 19, 2024, at the Africell Headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown.
Abdul Karim Sesay, Media Relations Officer for Africell, welcomed everyone to the launching, which he described as a momentous occasion that is fostering better growth for children and enhancing their potential.
Kelfa Kargbo, Contry Director for Street Child of Sierra Leone, said their organization has a historic foundation and started in Sierra Leone with only four staff in 2008, but now has an establishment in 21 countries. Kargbo felt so proud talking about the organization and its thematic areas they operate in: operating as child protection organizations, giving access to education, and improving learning outcomes. He said they are funded by applications they write to donors, saying that they are currently contributing 5 billion Leones to families to run successful businesses. He noted that they collaborate with other partners, bringing others along and thus never walking alone, to improve the lives of children.
On the marathon, the country director said it was an event they met in England. And in 2012, they had the first marathon in Sierra Leone, but had a break during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks. He said this year marks the 11th edition. He said one organization that believes in them and throws their weight at Street Child is Africell. He therefore called on others to be part of the Street Child Africell Marathon to develop the lives of children.
Joe Abass Bangura, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Africell, said the event is a good challenge, and Africell has been part of the journey since its inception, seeing all children safe in schools and making sure there is safe space for every child in Sierra Leone. So he said they would continue to give their support. And on behalf of the management, he thanked Street Child and hoped that the partnership would continue to see children enhance their potential.
Mark Maughan, Global Challenges Manager, Street Child, said he is really proud to see that the Street Child Sierra Leone Marathon has become one of the nation’s biggest sporting events, which has helped create a platform that has developed incredible talent in Sierra Leone that has gone on to represent Sierra Leone abroad.
He said they have had people who have won the marathon and people who have taken part because they enjoyed running and because it has improved their health.
He said the marathon has played a huge part in the growth of Street Child as an international NGO; they have been able to attract more donors, more people, and more supporters because they have witnessed what the achievements are. He said they have a five-kilometer option, a 10-kilometer option, and a 21-kilometer half-marathon, and this year they are introducing a brand new 42-kilometer full-marathon course. He thanked Africell and all their sponsors, all key stakeholders, such as the Athletics Association, the Ministry of Sport, the Red Cross, the Police, the Army, Makeni City Council, etc.
John Konteh, on behalf of Afrimoney, explained the process of applying through Agrimoney. He said applicants for the marathon can launch into the merchant accounts by dialing *161# and later the code 64732.
Ibrahim Kargbo of the Sierra Leone Athletic Association said the marathon has helped them identify talents. Today, their athletes are in various parts of the world, representing Sierra Leone, especially in the All African Games.
Alusine Kanu from Street Child said Saturday, May 4th, is the final registration. He said registration with a package that contains registration numbers, t-shirts, and snacks will validate someone for the marathon. And they said this process can be done at their various outlets.
