Sierra Leone handball teams in Senegal on Zone 2 Federation Trophy
The male and female handball teams of Sierra Leone are currently taking part in the International Handball Federation ZONE 2 Trophy, together with seven other West African countries, being held in the Senegalese capital Dakar from September 24th 2012 to September 28th 2012. (Photo: The teams and officials in a snap photo with HE Ambassador Khadijatu Bassir)
The participating countries are, host Senegal, defending champions (male) Mali, defending female champions Cape Verde, Guinea, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Sierra Leone.
The male Sierra Leone team
The female Sierra Leone team with officials
Sierra Leone’s 36 man delegation including officials is being led by Mr. Alusine Osayor Kamara. The Team was welcomed and given moral support by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal H.E. Khadijatu Bassir, who also graced the opening occasion, together with staff of the Embassy and Sierra Leoneans in Senegal.
Declaring, the five days competition opened at the Iba Mar Diop Complex in Dakar and welcoming officials and teams from the eight countries, the Senegalese Minister of Sports Elhadji Malick Gakou, cautioned against violence and other un-sportmanship behavior. He noted that sports should as a matter of fact bring and unite people of all nations and that all should endeavor to compete in a healthy spirit of fair play, wherein winners and losers congratulate each other.
Senegal’s Sports Minister, Ambassador Bassir and Federations Officials watching the opening matches
Four games on each side (male and female) are played for the first three days and the remaining two days are on elimination series. Day one (male) Sierra Leone played against defending champions Mali and Sierra Leone was defeated by 38 to 14. While the female played against Guinea Bissau and were equally defeated.
Giving reasons for the defeat of the teams Mr. Alusine Osayor Kamara said the teams were experiencing fatigue as they travelled by road for four days from Sierra Leone to Senegal and secondly the male team was playing against the defending champions. “Above all we were traveling on a low budget provided by the Federation” he lamented. He added that they will however do their best.
On Tuesday in the male category Sierra Leone was yet again beaten by Guinea and so was the female team defeated by host Senegal (31- 05). Wednesday Sierra Leone male team lock horns with Mauritania while the female team clash with Mali.
Sierra Leone teams marching into the stadium
Meanwhile, the ZONE 2 Handball Federation on Tuesday held its Congress in Dakar. Mr. Seydou Dioup the current President of the Senegalese Handball Team was unanimously elected as the New President of the ZONE 2 Handball Federation, replacing former President of the Federation Musa Kabahsan Keita of Guinea.
“Notwithstanding, we have lost some games but both teams are in good spirit and we will continue to the end” said the head of delegation.
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