By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Following issues raised by some Stakeholders of the Sierra Leone Lawn Tennis Association (SLLTA) the current Executive Board of Sierra Leone Lawn Tennis Association has on 25th February 2023 held a successful Stakeholders meeting to resolve some of the issues ahead of their Elective Congress on the 4th of March 2023.
The stakeholder’s meeting was held at the Sierra Leone Bank complex in Kingtom in Freetown.
Kelvin Ezekiel Kellie President of the Lawn Association while addressing the Lawn Tennis members after the meeting said they look at issues that have been stalling the sport back and at the same time they also look at things that need to be done to improve the sport.
He noted that issues came up about Andy Bam a former Tennis player and the Vice President of Murray Town Lawn Tennis Court led a complaint to the National Sports Authority in which the National Sports Authority writes the Executives and had responded to that complain with supporting documents about the constitutional amendment in which Lawn Tennis Members where present including (15) Media Houses.
In 2020 Annual General Meeting with there were (32) delegates present which (20) of the delegates were coaches who attended the (AGM).
“Those who said the Annual General Meeting was attended by strange people are not true, because no strange person attended the said (AGM) but rather by delegates who are accredited by their clubs to vote.” President Kelvin pointed out.
He affirmed that at the Stakeholders meeting, they did not discuss anything that has to do with the Constitution because that can only be discussed in the Annual General Meeting.
He noted the complaint from the National Sports Authority (NSA) which they have responded and it is only left with the National Sports Authority (NSA) to forward what the Executive has responded to those who made the complaints and give their position in terms of what they have seen from both sides.
He added that the date for the Elective Congress which is next Saturday 4th March 2023 stands and the venue will be communicated to the public.
He further that, on the complaints about delegate
” It is very clear in the constitution who is a delegate if you have a club and are in good standing paying your dues up to date you are entitled to two delegates with voice and vote.” and on clubs, according to the constitution there are two types of clubs, one is a full member and an Associates member, Associate member is someone who has a private Lawn Tennis Court but does not allow National Competition to take place there and those not allow National players to play there as well, but Lawn Tennis play there those are Associate membership.” He explains.
President Kelvin said there is a nomination form already they have contacted clubs that are paid up and the Executive has written to those that have yet to complete their payments, noting because the deadline was on the 17th of February 2022 but it will be extended to the 28th February 2023 to give a chance to other clubs to complete their payments still to show flexibility for clubs to be in good standing, pointing out that former Champions are going to vote, the coaches are going to vote represented by the National coach, adding that the status of the delegates is very clear.
“On the issue of term issue has been explained by an independent person, noting that the 2001 Constitution talks about two re-elections and the new talks about three terms it has made clear it simply means the same re-election twice so it is three terms.”
He ends up that going forward issues raised that have to do with coaches not being catered for are going to be looked into, past Champions not being respected, and communication as an issue is going to be branded going forward, as Executive we are not perfect, but we going to work on all those issues raised.
Andy Bam the Former Tennis player and the Vice President of the Murray Town Lawn Tennis court said the outcome of the meeting with stakeholders looks warm.
“As an Association when you have issues that need to be addressed before you head to an elective congress, this is an Elective Congress where delegates or voters are aggrieved and there is a disagreement variant in one or two areas delegates issue, coaches these are people who constitute the sport. But some of them have been disfranchised heading to the Elective Congress”, he explain.
” Am highly confident that 90 to 95 percent of all the players present are supporting me and are going to vote for me because I love tennis to beat, the sport has done a lot for me and I own Tennis and it is the best time for me to give back to Tennis.” Andy Bam said
Musu Pele former, Champion Tennis Champion said the Constitution has been tampered with and needs a review for the betterment of Lawn Tennis and there is a need for past Tennis players to be respected at all times.