By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Golf Association National Junior Team on 15th August 2023 bids farewell to the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James -Teima at her Bishop House office in Freetown.
Secretary General, Golf Association, Bintu Bangura congratulated Madam Minister on her new appointment. “I am happy to meet with you and I am happy to see you as my former teacher at the Annie Walsh Memorial School.”
The Golf Association President, Sankoh thanked Madam Minister for allowing them to meet with her in the early hours of Tuesday. “It shows how committed you are. Congratulations Madam Minister. Golf Association has contributed a lot towards the development of sport in this country”.
“We have been traveling to Gambia, Ivory Coast, and Liberia, taking part in International Tournaments. In terms of achievements, we have won the Best Amateurs for men and Second Best for women in most of the International Tournaments.”, the President added.
He said they want to take the game of Golf to Primary and Secondary Schools, the forces, Universities, and Parastatals. “We however need land, so we need your support through the Ministry of Lands. Secondly, we have International Tournaments in Egypt and Nigeria, our Professionals will travel to Egypt and the Females will travel to Nigeria. We are appealing for financial support.”
He ended by introducing their Junior Golfers, Hassan Gibathe, David Conteh, and captain Moses Sayoh (SLPGA)) and National Coach Momodu Kargbo, who will be representing Sierra Leone in the Junior Golf Tournament in Zimbabwe from the 18th to the 20th of August 2023.
“If they qualify, they will represent Sierra Leone in the Junior Golf World Cup Tournament in Ireland in 2024. The trip to Zimbabwe was sponsored by the Golf Association Executive Members. We want to assure you of our continued support during your tenure.”
In her response, Madam Minister expressed thanks to all of them for recognizing her appointment and praying for collaboration to succeed. “I am not new to this game. Thanks to our hard-working and dynamic TOK en DO President H.E Julius Maada Blessing Bio for appointing me as the first female Minister of Sports and also for showing passion for gender equality.
“Thanks for your successful stories. Golf is one of the games I love so much. Concerning your challenges; the land issue, plus funding for your association for international tournaments, we will do our best to solve them. Let me take the opportunity to wish our Jr. Golfers all the best of luck. Go and represent your country well.
“Let me be the first female Minister in Sports to receive your trophies,” she ended.
