By Joseph S Conteh
In a disappointing turn of events, Sierra Leone will be represented by only one athlete at the 2024 World Aquatic Championships in Budapest. The competition, set to kick off on December 10, 2024, will see Hazel Alamy, a Sierra Leonean swimmer based in London, competing in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly events.
According to Reginald Sawyer, the Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Aquatics Association, the country’s limited financial resources have made it increasingly challenging to field a larger team. Despite appeals to potential sponsors, including the National Sports Authority (NSA), no support was forthcoming.
In a last-ditch effort to ensure Sierra Leone’s participation, the Team Manager of Leone Stars Alhaji Umaru Bah stepped in to provide the necessary assistance. This gesture underscores the importance of the World Aquatic Championships, which offer significant benefits for participating federations.
Missing out on the event could have had severe consequences for Sierra Leone’s membership and future opportunities within the World and Africa Aquatic Federations. The lone swimmer representing the nation, Hazel Alamy, will undoubtedly bear the weight of her country’s aquatic hopes on her shoulders as she competes against the world’s best.
This news serves as a stark reminder of the financial challenges faced by smaller nations in the global sports arena. As Sierra Leone prepares to send its solitary representative to the prestigious World Aquatic Championships, the country’s sports community hopes that this setback will not hinder its long-term development and participation in future international competitions.
