By Alpha Barrie

Sierra Leone Archery Association (SLAA) has officially presented standard equipment to the National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone (NOC/CGA-SLE) after they officially received the consignment from the World Archery and World Archery Africa.

The huge consignment of standard equipment includes 12 bows (compound and re-curve), 10 targets- standard, strings, quivers-travelling and hanging, stabilizers-chest and hand guards, sight – bow limbs risers, standard arrows, travelling bag and Para Archery bow-set.

Speaking during the official presentation at the NOC/ CGA-SLE’s Walpole Street headquarters on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in a programme chaired by the Committee Secretary General, Ahmed Khanou, Yayah Koroma, president of the Sierra Leone Archery Association expressed profound appreciation to World Archery and World Archery Africa for their continued support in developing the sport in emerging nations. He also commended the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Sports, as well as the leadership of NOC/CGA-SLE, for their instrumental role in facilitating the smooth clearance of the equipment from the National Ports Authority.

“We are truly grateful not only for the equipment itself but also for the tremendous institutional support that made its arrival and clearance possible,” Koroma noted. “Also I will like thank the Paralympics Committee as well, because we received a bow-set for Para-Archery. When we had our technical course there was a room for para-archery and then we trained two para-coaches so through the support of the Paralympic Committee we have bows from the Committee and I want to thank the Paralympics Committee under the leadership of Unisa Deen Kargbo who made that possible for us,” the Archery President affirmed.

 “I want to thank the NOC for the support we’ve been receiving from you since the inception of the Sierra Leone Archery Association and more specifically for helping us to get this equipment out. This equipment will help to develop archery in Sierra Leone. We have people in Kenema training archery. I also want to thank the Deputy Minister of Finance who has been very, very supportive for us to have this equipment out of Lungi International airport and the Water Quay,” Koroma concludes.

For his part, Norman Acerbi Davies, the Technical Director of the Sierra Leone Archery Association said it is a blessing in disguise for them to receive such equipment, noting that with such consignment of standard equipment they can now diversify the sport “we can now broaden our horizon and take the sport across the country like we started the school archery initiative, with this equipment, it will help us to move forward with archery to the nation.”

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Olympic family, NOC/CGA-SLE President, Mr. Prince Sualley, applauded the initiative and reiterated the NOC’s commitment to strengthening the development of Olympic sports across all disciplines. He encouraged the Archery Association to continue its work in expanding opportunities for youth and aspiring athletes.

“I am happy that incrementally you’ve been moving in the right direction so I must say having this equipment at this particular time it’s very, very timely because we all know that there are important competitions that are coming up and this I am sure will enhance your capacity in terms of approaching those competitions. I hope they can be utilized for their intended purpose and that I am sure will yield some dividend,” the NOC/CGA’s Chief stated.

“I was also very much pleased that when we received this equipment; we didn’t know how to use it and I saw Mr. Norman spending out of his time and resources to train the athletes. Unisa Deen Kargbo, President of the Sierra Leone National Paralympics Committee stated, adding we have a very sound relationship and I know with this equipment they now have to train more para-archers. Para-Archery is now becoming more serious between the Para family.”