The Sierra Leone Swimming Diving and Waterpolo Association (SLSDWA) on 8th October 2022 at the Country House Pool in Makeni held training on menstrual hygiene benefited by ten female swimmers in the Northern Region.
Speaking as the Women’s Representative of the Sierra Leone Swimming Diving and Waterpolo Association (SLSDWA) who also facilitated the training Hawa Dauda asserted that the essence of the training is to develop the confidence of the swimmers noting “we are aware of the fact that cases of sexual harassment over the years is a major reason why parents are preventing girls not to participate in any sporting discipline, so it is on that backdrop we decide to organize this training to assure you that the SLSDWA is not tolerating any form of sexual harassment and any person found wanton will brought to book” she asserted.
Hawa Dauda furthered that this is also a manifestation of the fact that the Swimming Association is committed to providing a platform for swimmers in the provinces despite they are challenged with funding and they are yet to receive any support from the government through the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority “since we assumed office almost one year we have been challenged with funding and no support from the government but as an association, we don’t believe in centralization because every swimmer can bring laurel for our beloved nation and this will be a yearly event” she noted.
Regional President of the Swimming Diving and Water polo Association in the Northern Region John Philip Kallon lauded the national association for supporting menstrual hygiene training amid financial challenges, adding it is a huge one for the development of swimming in the region” this training comes in a right time after the region have just suffered a major setback one of our best female swimmers is now pregnant and lack of knowledge in menstrual hygiene is not an exception for her pregnancy and with this training it will prevent a reoccurrence” he disclosed.
Sanka Sankoh who emerged as one of the best swimmers during the competition organized after the training revealed that she hailed from Magburaka Tonkolili District but now residing in Makeni and attending the Every Nation Academy adding she developed a passion for swimming at the age of ten years, while the training serves as a huge motivation for her to remain focused and achieved her dreams.
