By Ishmael Bayoh
The President of the Sierra Leone National Triathlon Association, Winston Crowther, who is also the coach, on Monday 13th November 2023, presented the silver medal won by Hawa Jawara in the youth category to Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal, His Excellency Alhaji Brima Elvis Koroma.
The Ambassador visited the team at their camp at Saly, outside Dakar, and whilst decorating Hawa, he congratulated her for winning a silver medal and also congratulated the team for performing well in the other categories, despite the difficulties faced during their journey by road.
Ambassador Koroma called on the athletes to be dedicated to what they are doing to win more laurels for the country.
At the just concluded 2023 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup, Sierra Leone’s Hawa Jawara won a silver medal in the youth category. She was defeated by Senegal. Kenya secured the championships for both the male and female Elite Category events, followed by Senegal in both 2nd and 3rd positions. Minkailu M Conteh and Ibrahim A Turay secured the 5th and 6th positions, respectively. For the Elite Female Category,
Kadijatu M Sankoh took the 4th position, while Karim Mansaray and Fofanah Alhaji Saccoh secured 4th and 5th places in the Male Youth Category. The youth category is those born between 2008 and 2011.
It is worth noting that this is the first competition these young athletes from Sierra Leone have participated in, and with their performances, the team was allowed to stay and undertake mentoring sessions from the world triathlon-appointed head coach.
They will also undertake a development camp for young African athletes who will be competing in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
Appreciating the Ambassador, the President of the Sierra Leone National Triathlon Association, Winston Crowther, was pleased with the timely intervention of the Ambassador, when the team faced difficulties at the Senegalese border on their way. He said he contacted the Ambassador at midnight and then worked frantically with the Senegalese Ministries of Sports and Interior to give them clearance because of the children they travelled with.
