By Alpha Barrie

The National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone (NOC/CGA-SLE) on Saturday, 14th June 2025, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Country Lodge Hotel, Freetown, under the theme: “One Team, One Vision: Delivering Olympic Dreams through Strategic Leadership.”

The AGM, which chaired by Ahmed Khanou, the NOC/CGA-SLE’s Secretary General, conveyed together member associations, government officials, institutional partners, and the Olympic family, serving as a platform for the presentation of key reports on the organization’s operational performance, financial standing, and the strategic direction for the upcoming 2025–2028 Olympic Quadrennial.

In his Opening remarks, Prince Vandy Sualley, the NOC/CGA-SLE Chief welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the Committee’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and athlete-centered programming.

“Today’s marks a milestone in our journey, one that reflects our collective dedication to the advancement of sport and the Olympics movement in our beloved country.

“Over the past year we’ve made remarkable stride in our sporting infrastructure, nurturing talents and fostering international collaboration with the global sport community, we have engaged in critical discussions, launched initiatives and re-enforced our commitment to compliance to international best practices ensuring that Sierra Leone remains respected participant in the Olympics movement.”

‘This gathering is more than an administrative exercise, it’s an opportunity to reflect on our achievement, address challenges and to chart a course for the future. Our vision remains clear that is to develop world-class athletes, strengthen good governance within our sporting institutions and establish Sierra Leone as a beacon of excellence in sport diplomacy so I would like to take the moment to extend our profound appreciation to our Olympic family, our national federations, coaches, athletes and volunteers all of whom contributes immensely to our shared success,” he stated, adding I encourage each of you to actively engaged in our discussions, share your insight and collaborate toward innovative solutions that will drive our mission forward. The strength of this organization lies in its people, you the people, dedicated individuals who believe in the transformative power of sport to unite, inspire and uplift.”

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James Teima, highlighted the power of sports being as one family, noting that the NOC have the mandate to promote, protect and also develop the Olympic movement in accordance with the international Olympic charter and therefore it’s considered as a non-governmental organization and definitely apolitical, but however, it collaborates with the government for efficiency and effectiveness.

“The NOC finds itself in a geographical area which is manned by government and definitely that is the reason why we have to collaborate on hands in glove to make sure that we develop sport. I want to take this opportunity to really thank the NOC for emphasizing such collaboration to make sure we are working hands in gloves to development of sports.”

The Minister assured government’s continuous support in all sporting activities, affirming that the NOC is not only limited to the ambit of the Olympic Games, but also involved in many statutes games like the Commonwealth Games, All African Games, Islamic Games to name but the few.

She congratulated those associations that have come with outstanding medals, in the quest to make sure that sport is move to a different level, highlighting the role of the NOC.

“You are there to develop high performance sport as well as sport for all and so we are looking forward to making sure that the flag of Sierra Leone continues to rise. We also emphasize your role as creating assistance in the training sport administrators, coaches and officiators, there is no way we can drive in themes of sports in this country if don’t improve in the capacity building of our administrators, coaches and officiators in sports. Madam James Taema continued: “Our emphasis on fair-play in sports is the discrimination of those things that are not fair in sports in other to prevent violence such the one we are working on towards anti-doping issues. Your resistance that you’ve always shown in the process that prevents compliance with the Olympic Charter is an apolitical issue. Sports in a viable way; a very important way of bringing people together and we have been so resistant in showing that we don’t have to be partisan in operation and then therefore I will also want to thank you for that,” she stressed.

Reports and presentation was made by the NOC/CGE-SLE’s President, the Treasurer-Unisa Deen Kargbo, the ANOCA’s Medical Commission Chairman Dr. Patrick Coker, Dr. Canton, Anti-Doping Commissioner, Athletics Commission’s co-chair Mohamed Kamara and the Sierra Leone Chef De Mission, Yayah Koroma.

The NOC/CGA’s Scribe the formally presented the Quadrennial Strategic Plan, outlining priority areas including governance reform, athlete development, Olympic education, and international partnerships. The Plan received a resounding endorsement from the membership.

Former athletes and sports administrator, Madam Pamela Williams, the Commissioner of Women in Sports and Boxing legend Lumpri Sesay were recognized with ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ plaque.

Goodwill messages was delivered on behalf of the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Berraf, by his Personal Assistant, Mr. Canton, who connected virtually, commending the Committee’s transformative leadership and reaffirmed their support for its developmental goals.

Members and stakeholders alike recognized the disciplined stewardship of the NOC/CGA-SLE Executive and its Secretariat, and pledged full cooperation towards the successful implementation of the new strategic plan.

The AGM concluded with a collective call to action: that all partners align with the vision of the NOC/CGA-SLE to advance Sierra Leone’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games aspirations through unity, professionalism, and purpose-driven leadership.