Sierra Leone Swimming Diving and Water Polo Association have changed its name to Sierra Leone Aquatics Federation.
The historic replacement of the name took place at the Freetown Brook fields Hotel in Freetown on 14th February 2023, where a high-power delegation from the Ministry of Sports witness the launching ceremony.
“Mohamed Abdul Turay the President of the Sierra Leone Aquatics Federation said the changing of the name came about during their Congress in Melbourne in Australia where it was agreed that all National Federation across the globe should change their names using the term Aquatics CANA, the Africa Swimming Federation is now African Aquatics, and the regional bodies in Sierra Leone have to change their names” he said.
He further that due to the hard work of the Sierra Leone Aquatics Federation in the Country, the Aquatics Family President has agreed that two of the children are to represent Sierra Leone and they were able to reach the Association through the Website expressing their intention to their children to become members of the association noted that come in September this year when junior Championship is coming up these Swimmers are going to represent the country in those games and he expressed thanks to the Media, both Print, Electronics and Social Media for their tremendous effort in reporting the activities of Swimming In Sierra Leone.
Abdulrahman Swaray the Deputy Director of the National Sports Authority who served as the keynote speaker stated that he was honored to deliver his address for one of the most composed, organized developed, and Structured Sporting disciplines in Sierra Leone.
” Today is indeed a historic moment for us the nation, noted the name Aquatics is a very big term and well known to be many sports within the Swimming cycle.
“He affirmed that the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Sports will continue to support the Federation as they have done over the years whenever the funds are available for this worthy course. “
He called on the New Sierra Leone body to scout out new Swimmers saying that it has been a long time since the Association brought laurels from their international outings.
Ibrahim Nylenkeh the Minister of Sports was in charge doing the official unveiling of the banner and launching of the New name announced that the progress and achievements of Sierra Leone Swimming in the recent past are a result of good leadership and the Vibrant and astute President Mohamed Abdul Turay.
” Your Association has set the pace for others to emulate because, unlike other Sporting disciplines that do not depend solely on Government support to travel out of the country, you have been able to source funds to ensure that you represent the Green, White, and Blue in the international stage impacting the lives of your athletes and bringing hope to them”.
He noted that,
” As you Launch your new name Sierra Leone Aquatics, let me have this opportunity to announce to you all present that on our Budget allocation for 2023 other Sporting disciples will benefit from( 18) billion Leone set aside from the total revenue and your Association will be among them.”
A.G. Koroma the President of handball and a representative from the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone said ” I am going to disseminate the message to the President of the National Olympic Committee, noting that he was impressed with the performance at the games over years.
