By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Saint Edwards Secondary School emerged as winners in the just concluded Inter-Secondary School Squash tournament held at the Grammar School squash court on the 27th of April 2023.
The event was organized by the Sierra Leone Squash Association in collaboration with NP Sierra Leone Limited and Sierra Fishing Company.
The Grand Winner for the Under 16 male category was Brian Paul Juana of Saint Edwards Secondary School, beating off his closest challenger Michael Koroma of Grammar School who settled for the second position.
Abigail Koroma of the Methodist Girls High School won the Under 14 Female Category whilst Margaret Jabba also of the same school was second.
Emmanuel K. Bright of Services Junior Secondary School, Wilberforce in Freetown became Champion in the Under14 boys’ category while Prince of Wales’ Mohamed Sesay took the second position.
Services’ Alima Fofana clinched the Under 16 Girls’ trophy and Emmanuela Conteh of Saint Joseph’s Convent was runner-up.
Presenting the trophies to the winners, the President of the Sierra Leone Squash Association who is also the General Manager of the Sierra Fishing Company, Bassem Mohammed noted that the association has been pushing young children to learn the game more. He said squash sport is not an easy discipline and thanked NP for collaborating with Sierra Fishing Company to ensure the competition became a success. He congratulated the winners and encouraged the losers to keep on trying.
President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Prince Vandy Sualley explained that squash is very much a part of the Commonwealth circuit but said they were disappointed that they could not have squash representation in the last commonwealth games in Birmingham.
He stated that the last time they had participants for squash was in Australia and was hopeful that they will showcase squash players in the next commonwealth games.
The NOC President said that it is very encouraging that young players have now taken up the game of squash. He thanked the President of the Squash Association adding that he was very much impressed with what he is doing since he took over the association.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NP-SL Ltd, Kobi Walker recalled the time he was playing squash, saying he had witnessed competitive games, but the display he saw from the young boys and girls at the Grammar school squash court was amazing. He said in his playing days, he never got to that peak and level of flexibility that the young boys and girls displayed.
He further said that he was gratified that squash is now played at a very young age so that young talents could be tapped into early. He was also gratified at the investment NP made in building squash courts in four different sites- the Grammar School, Saint Edwards School, Bo, and the University of Sierra Leone which he said gives the company confidence to continue supporting the sport, noting that if they do, laurels will be brought into the country.
The Physical Education (PE) Teacher from Services Junior Secondary School, Wilberforce, and Richard Aiah Sandi Fonjah whose school won two trophies noted that they are not new in the squash competition as they have been winning trophies for the past two decades. He said their secret weapon to success could not be unconnected to the squash court that they have very close to the school where they normally prepare players for competitions.
He thanked the organizers as he said the game is not well known compared to football. He also pleaded with them to continue with such competition to ensure that it spreads around the country.
He said due to the squash competition, his school which was not known to many has been very much popular due to its winning mentality.
Brian Paul Juana, winner of the Under16 male category and of Saint Edwards Secondary School noted that he felt grateful after winning the tournament for his school. He added that he prepared for the competition for two weeks after learning that they will be participating on Independence Day.
He explained that he started playing squash in primary 6 and continues at Edwards, where he always represents the school. He said he was motivated by his elder brother who had also won a similar competition at Edwards when he was young.
He encouraged young colleagues to participate in squash competitions and to embrace the game like any other.
The event climaxed with the sharing of medals and trophies to deserving winners.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (03/05/23)
