By: Paul Kamara
The Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL)-South on Friday 23rd December 2022 paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Director of Education Bo District Mr Ibrahim Yahaya Fofana at his Gbaima Road office in Bo City.
The Purpose of the visit according to the Secretary General of SWASAL-South Abubakarr Buzzo Kargbo was to foremost familiarize themselves with the Deputy Director of Education in the district and next was to express their concern over the recent violence that led to the suspension of the Inter-Secondary Schools Soccer/Volleyball Competitions in the district.
"As sports journalists we do not only report sports but as well promote sporting activities in the process. We find pleasure in doing this and the passion for it keeps driving us, he said."
"Following our press release on 14th December this year, were we strongly condemned and expressed our disappointment over the spate of violent behavior among school pupils particularly Christ the King College (CKC) and Bo Government Secondary School in this year's school league competition. We are here on that backdrop.
"Again we are expression grave concern over the constant rate of violence in the school league competition for the past years which has prevented the successful completion of the league for quite some time now in this part of the country. This at some point have deprived some athletes from realizing their fullest potentials.
"Like we said earlier on, we are aware of the huge benefits that such competitions bring to the individual athlete, school, community and country as a whole.
"We made few recommendations in our last press release, we are here therefore to let you know that we are concern and continue to condemn it its strongest terms all forms of violence and finally to hear from you as it is our desire to see a successful completion of this year's school league", he concluded.
Responding, the Deputy Director of Education Bo District Mr Ibrahim Yahaya Fofana warmly welcomed the representatives of SWASAL South. He thanked them for their genuine concerns
"As an individual I have interest in sports. I played scored for my primary and secondary schools as well as for my university.
"The total suspension of the school league was a big blow to me.
I made the pronouncement but the decision was reached at in a meeting with key stakeholders in the district. It followed the confirmation of the security personnel to no longer provide security coverage as they are overstretched with other activities".
"If the police who are charged with the responsibility of protecting life and property comes out verbally to inform that they're backing out, I looked at it to be very risky to continue.
"However steps have been taken by us to see how we could address this matter. I am in constant touch with Mr Sahid Conteh from the sports department at the head office. He has promised to come over after the Christmas break. So when he comes we may probably join forces together. With your recommendations and our highlighted plans we may see how we could approach the security sector again for their advice.
"So as we await that we'll continue to be law abiding and keep in close dialogue with other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, my organizers and I will duly inform you again together with the public on our next move.
Once again thanks for your time and interest, he concluded.
The cross session of SWASAL-South representatives posed for photoshoot with the Deputy Director of Education Bo District Mr Fofana at the end of the meeting.
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