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With a mere 500 days until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games , the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons has okayed the Preparation of the Para games, expressing his satisfaction with the progress made so far, considering that up to sixty five thousand (65,000) spectators will be attending the opening Ceremony with Athletes Parading through the bottom of the Worlds famous avenue , the Champs-Elysees and arrive at the iconic place de la Concorde. He added that he thinks the organizing Committee is doing some great things in promoting the games and creating awareness. The Para Sports Chief Maintained that the legacy is key for any games and he is aware of the impact of those two weeks of sports lasting for generations afterwards. He explained that already France as the host city is ensuring all bus routes remain accessible, developing enhanced accessibility neighborhoods and aiming to have 1000 accessible taxis for the games, all parts of improvements triggered by the Paralympics.

Former Executive member of the All People’s Congress party, Honourable Alpha Kanu has reportedly tendered a letter terminating his membership of the APC party, today 28th April, 2023. In the letter shared on social media platforms, his main reason for ending his membership was given as wanting to focus on helping Sierra Leone to move forward, agenda’s that now seem impossible to achieve within his known party, the APC. He had also highlighted his gradual ousting from the party by actions of other executive members, such as the removal of his executive position without notice and his exclusion in management matters of the party. He had also reportedly outlined his support to the APC party, spanning sixty years. The news of his resignation was revealed online by Dr. Sylvia Blyden, on her official Facebook page. The Secretary General of the APC party Lawyer Kalokoh however stated to this medium that he is yet to receive the aforementioned letter but that he will not disregard the news.

Madam Yvonne Aki Sawyer has on Wednesday 26th April 2023 completed her nomination process for a rerun as the Freetown city Council Mayor representing the All People's Congress Party, ahead of June’s upcoming local Council elections. After submitting her nomination, Madam Yvonne emphasized the importance of a free, fair, and peaceful election. The Unity Party leader, Madam Femi Claudius Cole, and a senior All People’s Congress party’s member Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Money Jagaban, were among those who nominated Madam Yvonne for the mayoral seat. Madam Yvonne previously served as the Mayor of Freetown from 2018 to 2023 and is seeking another term to continue her work in driving development and progress in the city. Speaking after the nomination process, Madam Yvonne expressed her appreciation to her supporters and promised to work tirelessly to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people of Freetown municipality are met. The local government and presidential elections are scheduled to take place on 24th June 2023, and Madam Yvonne is confident of a successful campaign and a positive outcome at the polls.

Psychology of Winning, an organization that is focused on building generational leaders has held a one day Educative National Youth Festival for Youth Groups at the Prince of Wales School at Kingtom. The youthful festival started off with a Libation ceremony by the Co-founder Khadija Grace in a bid to appease the ancestors for the many wrongdoings in the past and to project a brighter future for Sierra Leone, she said. Messages of Peace and hope we're cascaded to the School pupils and the many young people who were present during the edutainment festival. Khadija Grace noted that the only way to capture the hearts and minds of young people is through music and that was what prompted her to composed a song that befits the motive of taking the mindset of young people away from counter productive ventures to becoming drivers of change. On his part , Chernor Jalloh, a beneficiary of the Youth Festival told this medium how he intends to share the message of psychology of winning to help tune the minds of his peers. Singer and songwriter Rev. Justine Mavah thrilled the young generation with his famous hit " Let give Peace a Chance" after which be remarked that his desire is to always reach out to young people with the peace song and added that the festival came in the nick of time , as the country is preparing to hold its general elections on the 24th of June 2023. An exhibition was also organised with booths displaying locally made Sierra Leonean attires as a show of support towards the Country's 62nd Independence Anniversary.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has on Wednesday 26th April 2023 launched the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the Special Koya Industrial Zone, SIZ-Koya, a joint venture between the Republic of Sierra Leone and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, IIP. During the ground breaking ceremony President Bio said he is delighted to be at this event, particularly as it is an actualisation of the vision he presented in his manifesto in 2018. It is also a welcomed outcome of visits to Special Economic Zones in Gabon, Rwanda, and other countries, and business relationships negotiated in the best interests of Sierra Leone over the last five years. President Bio maintained that a stronger manufacturing sector in the country that had access to regional and international markets and, therefore, would support foreign currency inflows, adding that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme had given custom-free access to the ECOWAS market. President and Chief Executive Officer of African Finance Cooperation, Samalia Zubairu, said Sierra Leone and the African continent were faced with a lot of challenges around food security, inflation and the exchange rate, among others. This he noted was as a result of the fact that the economies had not transformed from lots of primary focus, exports of basic raw materials, and significant imports of goods that could be produced in the country. He promised that they will spend as much time here in Sierra Leone as was spent in Benin. During his statement, the President of AFREXIMBANK, Professor Benedict Oramah, acknowledged His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, noting that he is honoured to celebrate with the government and the people of Sierra Leone the groundbreaking ceremony for the launch of the Special Economic Zone. He also congratulated the people and government of Sierra Leone on the auspicious occasion. “We thank His Excellency President Bio and the management and partners of ARISE IIP for their partnership with the AFRIXIMBANK on this historic investment venture” he added. The SIZ-Koya investment programme will be constructed on 1,600 hectares of land with a dedicated area for exports, is a $300 million investment and is expected to employ 10,000 Sierra Leoneans. This facility is expected to be powered by 100 megawatts of solar panels.

Sierra Leonean born Ali Koroma playing forward for America’s division one team, Cal Poly Mustangs has disclosed his desire to play at the NBAs. Prior to relocating to the United States of America, Koroma represented the red flames basketball Club and won the Most Value Player in 2017 and got a scholarship to further his studies and pursue his career in basketball. In 2019 as a freshman in Cal. Poly College Basketball team, Ali appeared in 26 of 30 games with six starts , averaged 14.9 minute per appearance and led Col Poly with a 57.4(54 for 94) percent field goal mark scored in a season high 14 points on 6 for 8 shooting Versus Siena in December and added another 10 points Versus LIU (November 29) and at Long beach state in March. Ali grabbed a career high 12 rebounds at number 15 San Diego State (Dec 28 ) and eight at Long Beach state shots versus CSUN (Jan 11). During a high profile match in the League , Koroma carried the team on his shoulders, dominating affairs as a shooter. To date , the memory of the youngster outclassing his opponents on that day remains a well shared anecdote. Koroma's Nephew , Who plays in the Philippines for KBC , Mohamed Tosh Sesay, recounts his first experience of Ali's career and added that his drive for greatness will indeed guard his path to the NBA Someday. Ali Koroma hopes to represent top teams in the NBA with hundreds of fans cheering him, with the loudest hurrah coming from the Sierra Leonean Community in the United States of America, after he’s scored a thousand(1000) points in four years , 515 rebounds 91 blocks , top fifteen in Col Poly's history in points and rebounds , coupled with the big West All conference Honourable mention in 2022 and 2021.

Impact Sierra Leone, an organization focused on farming to create opportunities for all, especially women have made their first harvest of chains of peppers at Foindu village. According to co-founder Dr. Adama Kalokoh , her team was able to pull through the first harvest of a total of 28 Cups, proceeds of which will go towards purchasing more seedlings and other Supplies to achieve the desired objective of the Seeds of Life Program. She explained that the seeds of life program is aimed at reaching the unreachable through the bolstering of the farming community with needed resources to thrive in every step of the way. She maintained that they have to improve the volume and value of the pepper , to meet the growing needs of the people of Sierra Leone but praised the women for achieving this for their start. As part of their other projects , Impact Sierra Leone is also supporting children who are going to school with learning materials and clothes among other things to improve on their learning and way of life.

Hon. Kandeh Yumkella representing his party, the National Grand Coalition, signed an alliance with the Sierra Leone People’s party represented by President Julius Maada Bio, at the Bintumani Conference centre on Sunday 23rd April, 2023. According to Hon. Yumkella during the launch of the alliance and on AYV Wakeup program, the alliance titled “Transformative Alliance” is predominately to ensure development and national cohesion, sorely lacking in the last decade. According to Dr. Yumkella, the alliance prioritizes peace, stronger governance and unification, aiming to close divisions along tribal and regional lines, demonstrated by their agreement to work together for a united Sierra Leone, apart as individual parties but together based on agreement, with a common vision. Hon. Yumkella furthered that his decision was based on his ideology of strategic alliance made public two and a half years ago, which is a belief system that only an inclusive government similar to that of late President Kabba’s, possess the possibility of succeeding, a government that the nation can accept and genuinely work with. Dr. Yumkella stated that he had been warning of rising tensions which if left unabated could lead to catastrophic occurrences and hence his decision to collaborate now before elections to jointly map out the next agenda, starting with a joint manifesto to be presented soon. He furthered that based on their agreement, the National Grand Coalition will not be presenting a Presidential candidate or a running mate for Vice President but his party will be presenting candidates for Council and Parliamentary elections. He says his decision was reinforced by President Bio’s personal call for his assistance to achieve the common goal of development. He maintains that the NGC has diverse expertise capable of presenting alternatives with more lasting solutions and maintained that this prompted his setting aside of his ego and personal ambition. He commended the SLPP administration for coping with economic challenges by absorbing global shocks and improving on revenue generation and implementing the single treasury account. He concluded that focusing on strengthening infrastructures for exporting, should be a focus to stabilize forex and thereby the economy.

The start of Men's T20 Premier League opening at the Prince of Wales Oval showed a radiance of hope for the country's men's T20 Premier League on Saturday as the Police Officers led the way with a massive 29-run win against a resurgent Copper Safe squad. As the brawl in the horizon of the east intensified, it cast its beaming rays over the Prince of Wales seaside Oval. There at the center of things , the officers won the toss. Without hesitation, they chose to bat first to exhibit their firepower. Yegbeh Jalloh opened the batting order for the law-abiding men, scoring 35 runs off 25 balls. He smacked five 4s and had one graceful 6 at the start of the men's top show, pulling a strike rate of 140.00 before being bowled out by Copper Safe's Alfred Ndanema. Jalloh gone, Eric Musa Turay came in for the officers and batted for impressive 22 runs off 15 balls before being caught out by Alfred Ndanema who bowled in 4 overs, taking 4 wickets with an economy of 4.75. In all, nine batsmen from the Police side collectively posted 176 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs, setting a target of 177. Copper Safe replied with 147 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs, handing over a decent 29-run win to the officers who had 28 extras predominantly from wide balls. According to the Member of the Media Team Alie Sonta Kamara , the lynchpin of it all was to promote Cricket Sierra Leone Men's T20 Premier League and the development of cricketers for forthcoming Competitions. Though the Competition is too early to tip Police to retain a back to back Championship, chances are if they continue to extend the winning ways , they could possibly reclaim the Championship therein.

Dedication and hardwork has led a young football star in the person of Mohamed Dumbuya to becoming a key member of the Philadelphia Lone Star team in America, playing in the United Premier Soccer League. The United Premier Soccer League , which serves as a beacon of hope for Mohamed Dumbuya and many other footballers was founded in Santa Ana in Southern California, with eight teams that have paid players and some that are entirely amateur. Dumbuya, had a great spell in so many teams in Sierra Leone before relocating to the United States of America to pursue his football career, so he became an immediate person of interest. Dumbuya disclosed to this medium that fans of team Philadelphia Lone Star know him for mental toughness, dribbling , creating chances and occasionally pulling off a cheeky piece of skill on the football pitch. During a high profile match in the League , Dumbuya carried the team on his shoulders , dominating affairs in the defensive line. To date , the memory of the youngster outclassing his opponents on that day remains an anecdote held dear by many. Alimamy Dumbuya , who is the father to Mohamed, recounts his first experience of his son's Footballing career " I first saw Mohamed playing on the street back home in Sierra Leone and I immediately saw a good player in him , and that set him on a path to greatness in the game. He maintained that a good number of youthful teams like Fourah Bay Juniors , among others, invited him to their training ground and he was fantastic from day one. The Coach Gabba Named him among his top players at the time” Mohamed’s willingness to combine Football with education also helped in his breakthrough, gifted on the pitch and brilliant in the Classroom, leading to his station as starting player at the Philadelphia Lone Star FC in the US. In his days at Fourah Bay Juniors, Mohamed gave it his all , playing across the defensive line and occasionally being moved up to midfield due to his versatility. Beyond his talent , his strong character made him a popular figure among his teammates.

East End Lions team grabbed all three points against FC Kallon in their home match Day 20 of the Sierra Leone Premier League at the Trade Centre playing field, yesterday 23rd April,2023. The killers scored in the first half to upset the cavaliers and keep their title chase momentum intact. Mohamed Kamara scored in the twenty six to earn his team EE Lions the vital lead at home. FC Kallon were dominated in the entire first half by Gaffer Musa Kallon , who said they will go back to the drawing board and rectify their flaws for subsequent matches. He added that the pitch did not allow his team to exhibit what they are known for , but assured the cavaliers fans of a more resurgent side for upcoming fixtures at home and away. With such a great start to the League in the Second phase , East End Lions Head Coach Raymond Hunter , expressed huge delight over the win against FC Kallon , and shed some light on his side's three consecutive win in the League and maintaining the third position. He also stressed on the fact that they will rest on their laurels as they will stick to the same momentum to face Old Edwardians in the next fixture in the League. In other matches over the weekend, League Leaders Bo Rangers defeated Diamond Stars 0- 1 away in Kono to extend their lead at the top of the table courtesy of Abu Komeh FC Johansen recorded a crucial 1-0 against newly promoted Lamboi FC with Daniel Conteh scoring the only goal of the match. Kamboi Eagles had a field day against another promoted Side Republicans with a 1-0 win in front of the home crowd in Kenema. Luawa FC gave their top four hopes a boost after beating Wusum star 1-0 and the contest did not produce any other goal. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Kamara of Lamboi FC is still leading the goal scoring log with ten goals.

Archers in Sierra Leone have intensified their training at the OlympAfrica Centre at Goderich, in readiness for approaching major games. The Archery discipline itself, though new in Sierra Leone, has amassed a respectable following of enthusiastic individuals determined to develop their skills and enhance their potential. During the past weekend, they organized a training geared towards helping archers sharpen their shooting techniques and hit as many targets as possible, with their gaming tools, the bow and arrow. Men and women alike were seen making frantic efforts to shoot from wide angles to hit the appropriate targets with ease and consistency. Making observations on the Sidelines , Technical Director Norman Davies , noted that the essence of the training and many efforts to attract more archers who are willing and ready to play the sports. Archery Sierra Leone is keen on scaling up widespread commitment to engender a boom in the discipline. After the session, a couple of archers present, stressed on the magnitude of the knowledge gained in the discipline as a result of the dedication visibly demonstrated.