Director of Sport represses development
The Director of Sport, Chief Bai Kabia, is reportedly suppressing the advancement of sport in Sierra Leone.
It is reported that the Director has had heedless moments, denying national recognition to the Oness Johnson Taekwondo executive, which according investigation, meets criteria as enshrined in sport rules and regulations.
Facts have it that the Director of Sport has withheld applications forwarded him by respective Taekwondo associations seeking for national recognition in the country.
According to the report of the Desk Officer Sierra Leone Sport Council, Victor M. G Hastings-Spaine, it is stated that, of the two applying Taekwondo associations, the Oness Johnson executive fulfilled the required criteria for the formation of a national sports association and must be granted recognition as the sole body empowered under the National Sport Council’s administration.
The report states however that the Andrea Hope led executive is barely a shadow that exist in practically nothingness. That by all indications, the Andrea Hope executive conducted an election that was supervised by the Sierra Leone Martial Arts Association; an organization that has ceased to exist since June of 2008.
“In the same vein, Mr. Andrea Hope is President for Taekwondo, Triathlon and until recently Athletics,” the report stated.
It could be recalled that the term of office of the Director of Sport is to end this September, but reports have it that he has vowed not to go the office at all.
Facts are that the Sport Director is an ordained local Chief in Lunsar north of Sierra Leone.
Interviews conducted revealed however that the Director of Sport has been nonchalant to issues adjoining the development of Taekwondo; a sport many believe can help bring laurels to a country such as Sierra Leone in the near future.
It is a fact that applications submitted to the Director of Sport have been held in drawers for a good three years.
Victor Hastings-Spaine, who happened to be the Desk Officer of Sport Council was later instructed to investigate the legitimacy of the two competing Taekwondo associations and recommend, which among them meet the criteria for national recognition.
In his report findings, Victor Hastings-Spaine, stated that the Andrea Hope led executive did not meet the criteria and must not be granted recognition.
That Mr. Andrea Hope has withdrawn from the position of President in the association he claimed to own, and that his alleged Secretary General, James Junior Heals, is a deceased.
Despite the fact that the investigation made it clear that the Oness Johnson led executive must be granted recognition as a national Taekwondo sporting body, the Director of Sport neither endorsed nor carefully looked through the report, but rather dismissed it.
It has reached this press that executives of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) are toeing line of the Director of Sport thereby not saying anything to officials of Sport Council.
In an interview with the Director of Sport, he admitted receiving a report regarding two Taekwondo associations, but said he has asked for a meeting with both parties.
“I will not grant any of the forenamed Taekwondo associations any recognition if I do not have a meeting with them,” Director Kabia said.
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