Chef ‘De Mission, Unisa Deen Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s hopes of competing in the forthcoming All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo still hangs in the balance, after the country’s Chef ‘De Mission, Unisa Deen Kargbo on Sunday departed the country shores to attend the Games Chef De Mission meeting.
Despite an earlier assurance from the Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh, that Sierra Leone will compete in the Games, there are still doubts due to the country huge debt it owes to Games organisers.
Till departure of the Chef De Mission last Sunday to Brazzaville, there were no positive signs from the Sports ministry nor other authorities concerned about addressing the issue of the country’s debt.
Sierra Leone’s hopes of competing in the forthcoming All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo still hangs in the balance, after the country’s Chef ‘De Mission, Unisa Deen Kargbo on Sunday departed the country shores to attend the Games Chef De Mission meeting.
Despite an earlier assurance from the Deputy Minister of Sports, Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh, that Sierra Leone will compete in the Games, there are still doubts due to the country huge debt it owes to Games organisers.
Till departure of the Chef De Mission last Sunday to Brazzaville, there were no positive signs from the Sports ministry nor other authorities concerned about addressing the issue of the country’s debt.
However, the biggest chance for Sierra Leone participation depend if the Chef ‘De Mission will be able to persuade the Games organisers to waive Sierra Leone’s debt due to years of instability from war and the Ebola epidemic.
Failure to get a waiver, then the Sierra Leone government will need to pay or the sporting disciplines and athletes would miss-out on their third All Africa games.
Sierra Leone’s failure to participate could be another blow to the Sports ministers legacy whose deputy Minister said participating in the All-Africa Games is a top priority of the Ministry, and that they are working very hard with the authorities concerned to see that the country’s flag flies in Brazzaville.
“The Games are part of our programs and it is one of our topmost priorities,” said Conteh. “We are aware of the debt and as a ministry we are working very hard to see how payment could be made to allow our athletes to compete with others in the Games.”
Failure to get a waiver, then the Sierra Leone government will need to pay or the sporting disciplines and athletes would miss-out on their third All Africa games.
Sierra Leone’s failure to participate could be another blow to the Sports ministers legacy whose deputy Minister said participating in the All-Africa Games is a top priority of the Ministry, and that they are working very hard with the authorities concerned to see that the country’s flag flies in Brazzaville.
“The Games are part of our programs and it is one of our topmost priorities,” said Conteh. “We are aware of the debt and as a ministry we are working very hard to see how payment could be made to allow our athletes to compete with others in the Games.”
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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