As the National Olympic Committee (NOC-SL) elections remain days away, the substantive President of the Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Association, Mohamed Abdulai Turay, with blessings and endorsement from reputable quarters, has on 2nd December 2022 declared to run for the presidency of NOC-SL on the path to exemplary transformation.
The declaration took place at the National Sports Authority Head Office at Wilkinson Road in Freetown and that marks the natural end of Dr. Patrick Coker’s reign in Office.
Mohamed Turay started by saying “As journalists, you are not oblivious to the obvious concerns facing sports. All over, and every day, you lament about the lack of transparency in institutions, about the crop of athletes we present on the international stage, about the gender biases we exhibit in the devolution of roles, about the alienation of the media in these days of rigorous news-hunting, about the bureaucracies we stall by the intuition that one can do it all, and about the very feeling you nurture that some have not served well to be marked as good examples and still want to lord themselves overall by questionable means.
We know the change we desire cannot happen by retaining the status quo. A good leader is all we need to effect the transformation we so crave for. It is on this note I present myself to you and our revered delegates for the presidency of the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SL) on the path to exemplary transformation.
Throughout a tortious journey, we have seen quite a lot: the fall in interest in the sport, the collapse of administrations, the unsavory practice in the selection of athletes to a wide range of major concerns. The challenges are enormous and listless.
Under my presidency at the NOC, I will embark on transparency, inclusiveness, capacity building, and robust media collaboration.
In my reign at National Olympic Committee, I will ensure the following are administered:
▶️ Partner with SWASAL/sports journalists for the effective promotion of NOC activities and sports in general
▶️ Organize regular media briefings to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
▶️ Strengthen gender empowerment and participation in National Olympic Competition
▶️ Provide the correct nutrition to enhance the performance of athletes
▶️ Promote fair National trials and hold camping for Athletes
I have been dedicated and committed to serving executive member of the NOC via the Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Association. I have seen the difficulties, and it is for that reason I want to transform all sporting disciplines and commissions for the good of all and the good of our nation.
As a dedicated leader, I will continue to:
▶️ Source out funding to support the operations of sporting associations
▶️ Work with the Government to develop facilities for the training of athletes before any outing
▶️ Promote transparency and accountability
▶️ Create NOC Online TV and social media platforms to ease information flow respecting the work of NOC
▶️ Take sports to Schools
▶️ Design Athletes Development Support Pathway for correct training
▶️ Promote positive synergy with NSA and Sports Ministry
Having been around sports administration for over twenty years, I understand what it means to deliver professional and competent leadership as displayed by my track record.
I want to assure you all that you will get it from my tenure as president.
To our revered delegates of the National Olympic Committee, I plead with you to choose the path to exemplary transformation for the betterment and growth of sports administration and athletes’ welfare so that our NOC can be an enviable institution in the world.
The National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone Elective Congress is said to take place on 10th December 2022 at the Olympia Africa at Goderich Campus.