Azerbaijan Paralympics President Stopover Sierra Leone

The President of the Paralympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Ilgar Rahinmov who is also Vice president of the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) arrived in Sierra Leone for a three-day working visit. The President who is accompanied by the Head of International Relation and Marketing Department of NPC Azerbaijan, Rufat Hacili were received by the Paralympic Committee of Sierra Leone. In in statement during a meeting with the Minister of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA), President Rahimnov appealed for the government of Sierra Leone to support the National Paralympic Committee. He underscored that the Azerbaijan Paralympics Committee was established 26 years ago with two athletes and now they have over a thousand athletes through supports from their government and other business houses.  He said the purpose of his visit in Sierra Leone is to offer support and create partnership between both committees, citing the athletes to be the beneficiaries who will be invited for common training camps in Baku, Azerbaijan for free. The President further invited Sierra Leone to participate in the Para Judo World Championship in November this, noting that the Azerbaijan Paralympic Committee will take care of all expenses. He also extended an invitation to the Sports Minister of Sierra Leone. He noted his aspiration is to also develop Blind Sports and Sierra Leone to serve as a hub in West Africa. The Team Leader of Paralympic Committee of Sierra Leone, Unisa Deen Kargbo whist presenting the guests spoke about the advantage of this new found tie with Azerbaijan and Sierra Leone He noted that the President of the African Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, who is in Ghana is well aware about this visit and what is happening now in Freetown is part of Deen’s agenda for the growth of Para Sports in Africa. The Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Executive Director of NSA, Dr. Kenneth Brima, and Director of Sports at MOS Haroun Kodji expressed kind sentiments for the visit. They described Sierra Leoneans as Sports Fans who will be willing to support Para Sports. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Minister, Professor David Francis assured the guests of government support. He was full of satisfaction about the new development. The delegates also visited the Director of Social Welfare after meeting with the National Olympic Committee. Dr. Patrick Coker said the Olympic Committee will continue to render the needed support within their capacity.