The Members of the National Paralympics Committee of Sierra Leone (NPC-SLE) on January 19 2023 held its Annual General Assembly at the Pat-Jul Hall, 26n Jones Street in Freetown.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Paralympics Committee, Alexander Thullah welcomed the members from various parts of the Country, stating that the important thing about the meeting is the presentation of 2022 activities, financial report, discussion, and adoption. The presentation of 2023 activities and budget, discussion and adoption, and also the Committee ask for 2023.
In his presentation of 2022 Activities, NPC-SLE Team Leader Unisa Deen Kargbo underscored that they applied and secured IPC NPC grants of 6000 Euros which will continue in 2023 and that on 14th November 2023 attended the IPC GA in Germany.
He added that they contacted the Korean Paralympics Committee and they were boosted with equipment that they received in 2023.
UDK highlighted their participation in Dubai Faza Para Powerlifting where a new athlete, Arnold Sheka Kamara was successful and the old athlete, Brima Nelson Domawa failed to impress.
He also revealed the good news for the Committee that he was elected as treasurer in the National Olympics Committee (NOC)’s elective congress in December.
On the challenges faced last year, the Team Leader disclosed that there was no funding which prevented them from attending the Cairo African Para Powerlifting, and also they were unable to implement over $3000 grant for Wheelchair Tennis Development and a $ 1300 Junior Camp Grant because no funds to do the pre-finance.
For 2023 activities, he noted that they will start with new Para Games including Para Archery, Para Bossia, Blind Football, Para-Taekwondo, Para-Badminton, Para Baseball, and Para Judo. They will commence the IPC in-country training from March 19th to 21st 2023. Also, they will initiate training and qualification for the Paralympics Games in Paris 2024, adding that the GAPS 2023, they cannot apply for this class.
As for their task, UDK said there is an urgent need for athletes, both male and female for athletics and that they should identify a working office for the IPC in-country training visitor, an official in charge of training the new sports.