SWASAL meets with Mercury MD and Fant SL CEO
The newly elected National Executive of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), on Monday June 22nd 2015 in Freetown made a courtesy call on the Managing Director of Mercury International (SL) LTD Mr. Martin Michael, at the Company’s headquarters at Krootown Road in Freetown.
The association’s Vice President Austin Thomas, in his opening remarks applauded the Sports Betting and Lottery Company for their continued and tremendous supports to the association. He described Mercury International (SL) Limited as the main pillar of support to SWASAL.
SWASAL’s President Frank Magnus Ernest Cole in his statement, appealed to the Mercury International (SL) Limited MD to use his good office to award scholarships through the Company’s ‘Annual Scholarship Awards Scheme,’ to some of the association members who are pursuing higher education in the Universities and Tertiary Institutions.
“Capacity building does not only stop at organising seminars and workshops but, should be a life time thing. Already, a good number of our members are now enrolled in the universities and tertiary institutions across the country and I believe awarding them with scholarships will help them greatly,” the SWASAL president said.
He also pleaded with the company to consider supporting SWASAL to cover other sports whilst on international assignments other than football, and made a very strong case to increase the number of Sports Programs Mercury International (SL) Limited is presently providing sponsorship for across Sierra Leone.
“Our members, especially those in the major provincial towns, are working voluntarily so providing sponsorships for their various radio sports programs means ensuring they receive at least a living-wage at the end of the month,” Frank Cole pin-pointed.
The association’s Secretary General Sahr Morris Jr., before presenting the SWASAL 2015 Calendar of Activities to the MD, emphasised the urgent need for more trainings, and also the forthcoming World Sports Journalists Day July 2.
Responding, the Mercury International (SL) Limited MD Mr. Martin Michael said that as a company they were honoured for the visit adding, “it shows that SWASAL wants to continue the good and healthy relationship it has with this company spanning back to 2010.”
He promised to discuss with the Company’s board Chairman Mr. Samir Hassanyeh to allocate a quota of their annual scholarships to SWASAL; also work towards helping the association cover other sports apart from football and, the recommencement of the Annual National Sports Awards.
“We look forward to maintaining the good relationship with SWASAL…we are not doing this because we want favour from you. We don’t want undue publicity if we go wrong we want you to come out and tell us,” Mr. Martin Michael said and, later advised the newly elected executive to rise above disunity and petty politics.
In a related development, the SWASAL executive the same day Monday 22nd June 2015 at its secretariat at SLAJ HQ,, met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dutch-born Erik Rasmussen and members of FANT-SL.
In his statement, Erik Rasmussen said they were happy to work with SWASAL to achieve their goals regarding community development and soccer promotion in the country.
“Part of our objectives is to add value to the lives of Sierra Leoneans.” Rasmussen said.
The SWASAL President Frank Magnus Ernest Cole stated that one of his association’s objectives was to promote sports across the entire country.
He maintained it would be beneficial for both FANT-SL and SWASAL to work in close partnership adding the association also looks forward to FANT-SL helping in the area of training for members.
Cole promised the FANT-SL CEO of SWASAL’s maximum publicity as part of the partnership package.
SWASAL
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