By Dadson A. Musa
The newly elected Sierra Leone Lawn Tennis Association (SLLTA) has, on 31stMay, 2024, held a press conference at the YSC Sport Complex on Wilkinson Road, West of Freetown where the president, Andy Bam informed that he is set to rejuvenate inter club competitions across the country, adding that the SLLTA is also going to take tennis to schools across the country in order to nurture young talents.
The maiden press conference attracted other executive members, including the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dadson Allen Musa, the secretary general, regional heads, among others.
The press conference comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling to uphold the legitimacy of the current executive.
In his opening statement, the newly elected President, Andy Bam, expressed thanks and appreciation to members for a making it a duty to grace the occasion. He disclosed that he had already made some appointments as the constitution guarantees him.
“The transition is going on gradually and we expect to complete it shortly and start work in earnest,” the president stated. Mr Bam however expressed disappointment whilst acknowledging the enormity of the task, pointing out that tennis activities had been stalled for two years due to long drawn court cases.
The two-line ministries, Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) and Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary (MBSSE), the president went on, will be fruitfully engaged in a bid to take the game to new heights.
“I will contact partners within and without the country and work hard to attract government attention to ensure that the sport is prioritized in Sierra Leone,” the president vowed.
Other speakers expressed optimism, stressing the need to improve the sport. They also mentioned one Sierra Leonean, Francis Tiafoe who is now representing the United States of America in major tennis tournaments across the world.
The president, Andy Bam has been an active tennis player and has represented Sierra Leone at international competitions in his playing days. He holds a coaching license in tennis from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, June 3rd , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)