By Kemoh Sesay
The chairman of the textile designer group Emauni Foundation has said that fourteen secondary schools in the Western Area are set to take part in the first edition of the Emauni Athletics meet scheduled for Friday, 23rd May at the national stadium.
Alhaji Hassan Bangura said the idea behind the event is to develop the young athletes from schools so that "they become a national asset for the country". He said they will only compete on the track in events like 100m, 200m, 400m, 1,500m, 4X100m relay 4x400m.
Bangura said the winners will receive scholarships for two years, a track shoe and a certificate, while the second and third positions will get one year scholarship a certificate and a track shoe. He disclosed that the main sponsor of the event is Maltina a beverage brand produced by the Sierra Leone Brewery.
The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Athletics Association (SLAA) Sundufu Sowa said it was "a good initiative that will help the Athletes in their educational pursuit.
The Annie Walsh Memorial School, St Edwards Secondary School, Prince of Wales Secondary School, Methodist Girls High School, Kingtom Government Secondary School Boys and Girls, Government Secondary Technical School Boys and Girls, Sierra Leone Grammar School, Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School boys and girls, Government Model Secondary School boys and girls, St Joseph Secondary School, and the Albert Academy are all in the competition.
Bangura told Politico he was rescued from the streets by athletics until he completed his university education.
(C) Politico 22/05/14
