By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Association has got a website for the first time since its establishment in 1979.
The association becomes the first sporting discipline in the country, after football, to have an official website.
The website, www.saloneswim.com will provide news about the progress of the sport in the country, information about the swimmers, members of the association and news about upcoming competitions and preparations, officials say.
President of the association, Rev. George Spilsbury-Williams, said the website is a platform that would showcase the association and the swimmers worldwide.
“The launching of this website will place our association and indeed the country on a commendable stage, a level platform with other international disciplines and help us in our quest to match up to international standards,” Rev. Spilsbury-Williams said.
Last year, the sport became the first sporting discipline in the country to book their place in the Tokyo Olympics that will be held later this year.
The Chef de Mission, representing the National Olympics Committee in Sierra Leone, Unisa Deen Kargbo, said the launch of the website couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The establishment of this website will give us an opportunity to see the swimmers, the officials and answer all the questions we may have,” Kargbo said.
“This is the Olympic year, and this is coming at the right time,” he added.
Kargbo also called on other associations to copy the innovation the swimming association has embarked on. Spilsbury-Williams said they were willing to share their expertise with other associations.
Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, singled out the sports and praised them for this step taken. Whiles launching the website, Nyelenkeh reiterated the government’s support to the association and all 36 other sporting disciplines in the country.
The Ministry of Sports have been accused in the past of neglecting sports like swimming, in favor of football.
“My government and ministry have been in support of all disciplines. We do not segregate. We are committed to supporting you all,” Nyelenkeh said.
He added: “Other disciplines should emulate the same. This is what you can use to sell your association, your athletes…”
The website is now in use and information about different aspects of the sport has already been uploaded.
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