July 10, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr
Unisa Deen Kargo to lead Sierra Leone team for the Commonwealth Youth Games
National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE) has named the country’s team for the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau.
A delegation of seven which includes four athletes and three officials will represent Sierra Leone in two sporting event at the Games, which will take place from July 19 to 23 in the capital of The Bahamas.
Abdulai Sesay and Isha Kanu will both compete in the male and female swimming competitions respectively while Foday Kallon and Fatmata Awolo will respectively challenge other Nations in the area of athletics.
The Chef d’ Mission, Unisa Deen Kargbo will head the Sierra Leone delegation as team leader while Florence Haja Amara will serve as team official. President of NOC-SLE, Dr. Patrick Coker on Friday July 7 also confirmed his attendance in the Games.
According to Unisa Deen Kargbo, the selection of athletes was based on previous championship recognised by both the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Swimming Federation (FINA).
He said: “The Commonwealth Youth Games remain an integral event for us as future stars and Olympians rise from events of such a nature.”
Sierra Leone will mark a return to the Games as in 2015, the country ‘s delegation of seven athletes were prevented from taking part in the Games after the Samoan government refused to grant them visas, citing fears over the spread of Ebola.
Up 71 countries including Sierra Leone will fly their national colours at the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Games.