MOS MEDIA
Executive Members of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation (SLKF) on Monday 9th August, 2021 presented fourteen (14) medals and one giant trophy to the Ministry of Sports as accolade and laurels won in their West African Championship (WAC) debut.
The WAC is a championship that involves fifteen (15) African countries, competing for qualifications to the African Karate Championship and World Karate Championship. Sierra Leone Karate Federation won three gold, ten bronze and the Championship Trophy with a gold medal of participation.
Steven Kelfala , Director at the National Sports Authority (NSA), for and on behalf of the Executive Director expressed his gratification to the SLKF for upholding discipline at the highest esteem. He further expressed his satisfaction with the executive and the transformation in the Karate Federation.
Presenting the medals and trophy, President of the Federation, Shihan Victor E Amara thanked and appreciated the NSA and Ministry of Sports- especially Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh- for his astute leadership and support to the Karate Federation. He also pleaded with the Ministry and NSA to ensure kindly approval of allocations and funds to the SLKF.
“We exhibited our best performance by winning gold medals but we are constrained financially as our allocation has not been approved. It was also challenging for us during the tournament but we excelled”, Amara added.
Deputy Minister of Sports, Kai Lawrence M’bayo said he was overwhelmingly thankful to the entire Karate team for making the nation proud with such an outstanding performance. He further stated that “winning gold medals is a plus and an encouragement for continuity, and a step in the right direction”.
Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh thanked the entire team on behalf of the President Dr.Julius Maada Bio and people of Sierra Leone. He also described the team as ambassadors. ‘Bringing laurels back home makes me proud and thankful. Your performance and achievement can be considered as ambassadorial performances”, Minister Nyelenkeh added.
He further expressed government’s willingness and President Bio’s commitment to ensuring that all sporting activities and discipline are fully supported. “NSA is now directly handling all sporting disciplines and as a Ministry, we ensure supervision. We shall ensure all backlogs and funds allocated accordingly”, he assured.
Captain of the Sierra Leone Karate Federation, Momoh Frank Fofanah was thankful to God for this success, and thanked NSA and Ministry of Sports for their support, promising many more laurels in upcoming competitions.
