Athletes in training session for this year’s Boxing Day sports meet
Officials of the National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry have confirmed they will take full operations of this year’s traditional Boxing Day Sports meet at the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown.
The hosting and running of the annual event which had been the sole responsibility of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) will now be run by the NSC and the Sports Ministry, according to the communication officer of the Sports Ministry, Benjamin Pratt which he said was due to the ongoing impasse within the SLAA over the elections of a new SLAA Executive.
Officials of the National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry have confirmed they will take full operations of this year’s traditional Boxing Day Sports meet at the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown.
The hosting and running of the annual event which had been the sole responsibility of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) will now be run by the NSC and the Sports Ministry, according to the communication officer of the Sports Ministry, Benjamin Pratt which he said was due to the ongoing impasse within the SLAA over the elections of a new SLAA Executive.
He said: “Our main reason to take-up this responsibility was to create a level playing field for all parties involved in the athletics power tussle.”
“Also the athletes were denied the opportunity to compete in last year’s event due to the country’s health situation, but as one of our traditional events in the country we don’t want to deprive them again this year that is why we are taking full control of the event.”
As always, this year’s competition is expected to run from on 23rd and 24th December and December 26th as the final day.
For the first time in 10 years, athletes, coaches and fans missed the traditional sports event in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak.
The Boxing Day Sports has always been the country’s main national Track & Field event which attracts local and International athletes. In 2013 Sierra Leonean Sweden based athlete, Hamza Marah Kamara was crowned the country’s fastest runner after winning both 100m & 200m. He also set a personal record in the respective races.
“Also the athletes were denied the opportunity to compete in last year’s event due to the country’s health situation, but as one of our traditional events in the country we don’t want to deprive them again this year that is why we are taking full control of the event.”
As always, this year’s competition is expected to run from on 23rd and 24th December and December 26th as the final day.
For the first time in 10 years, athletes, coaches and fans missed the traditional sports event in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak.
The Boxing Day Sports has always been the country’s main national Track & Field event which attracts local and International athletes. In 2013 Sierra Leonean Sweden based athlete, Hamza Marah Kamara was crowned the country’s fastest runner after winning both 100m & 200m. He also set a personal record in the respective races.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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