Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In the wake of Sierra Leone’s Archery team’s notable involvement in the 13th edition of the African Archery Championship in Tunisia, President Yayah Koroma of the Sierra Leone Archery Association expressed optimism about the array of opportunities the competition has unlocked for the country.
Koroma shared his views during the presentation of the Archery delegation to the National Olympic Committee (NOC), emphasizing the success of Sierra Leone’s participation in the international event. Despite falling short of securing qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Koroma noted that the experience has significantly elevated the association’s profile on the African archery stage.
“This was a resounding success; it opened a lot of opportunities for us and exposed our association internationally. We are now known, and our team is ranked in Africa, even though we did not secure a qualification,” Koroma stated.
The President highlighted the challenges faced by the Sierra Leone Archery team, noting that the sport is relatively new to the country and that it marked their inaugural participation in such a competition. He explained that the team failed to qualify due to restrictions on mixed doubles and a limited quota for Africa. Nevertheless, Koroma underscored the importance of Sierra Leone’s Archery Association now being officially ranked in Africa.
Acknowledging the financial constraints they encountered, Koroma expressed gratitude to the NOC for its support, enabling the delegation to field a team of five at the African Championship.
Prince Vandy Sualley, President of NOC/CGA-SLE, commended Yayah Koroma for his dedication and tenacity in promoting archery in Sierra Leone. Sualley, who has considerable experience in sports, encouraged the team to view their recent achievement as just the beginning. He stressed the importance of continued hard work and perseverance in the pursuit of success, reminding them to focus on their efforts rather than getting carried away by expectations.
In closing, Sualley urged the team to maintain their commitment to excellence, emphasizing that significant accomplishments lie ahead if they persist in their efforts. BT/25/11/2023