By Joseph S. Conteh
Sierra Leone Aquatics, the national governing body for aquatic sports, has concluded a three-day World Aquatics coaching seminar in Freetown. The seminar, which ran from September 6th to 8th, 2024, was held at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Aberdeen and aimed to advance the skills and knowledge of local swimming coaches.
The seminar was part of the Olympic Solidarity Program, designed to enhance the ability of coaches to foster talent and improve performances in the sport. The event was officially inaugurated by Acting General Secretary Joseph S. Jida Kiz-Kamara, who emphasized the critical role of such capacity-building initiatives in the development of national sports.
The seminar was led by South African coaching expert Eugene Da Ponta, who focused on the essential qualities of focus and concentration for effective coaching. Da Ponta’s approach combined theoretical lectures and hands-on practical sessions, aimed at deepening the coaches’ understanding and application of advanced methodologies.
Sierra Leone Aquatics President Mohamed Abdul Turay expressed his gratitude for Da Ponta’s exceptional contributions and expressed the possibility of organizing a Level Two course, contingent on approval from World Aquatics. In recognition of Da Ponta’s efforts, Ruth Turay, a former national swimmer who now serves as a coach, presented him with a traditional African garment.
The seminar successfully trained 18 coaches from across Sierra Leone, representing a substantial step forward in the development of the country’s aquatic sports. This achievement is a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s swimming community as the world embarks on the preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
