More Government support is required for Sierra Leone to improve, it is thought ©Getty Images

Better relations between the Government and the Sierra Leone National Olympic Committee (NOC-SL) are being targeted after the country drew a medals-blank at last month's All-Africa Games.

It was Sierra Leone's first appearance in the event since Cairo 1991 and they sent 70-strong delegation competing in sports, including athletics and boxing.

The squad failed to win any medals, but viewed the event as a learning curve teaching them much about competing at a major Games.

Further improvement is possible only if there is an improved relationship between sporting and political authorities, they believe, it is claimed. 

This is particularly important in a financial sense, with the Government only belatedly able to secure the necessary funds to send a team to the Republic of Congo capital following pressure from fans and other sporting groups.

Sierra Leone competed at their first All-African Games since 1991 in Brazzaville ©Getty Images
Sierra Leone competed at their first All-African Games since 1991 in Brazzaville ©Getty Images

"Taking part in the Games was a good decision, the team's Chef de Mission Unisa Deen Kargbo told the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).

It showed them how greater investment is required, on areas such as international training camps as well as greater funding for the NOC

“If they don’t work together we will be in trouble…and this will result to waste of time and waste of talent,” Kargbo added.

Sufficient Government support for NOCs is a key issue for the Olympic Movement at the moment, although there are concerns over excessive interference from political authorities in some countries.

Sierra Leone has competed at 10 Summer Games since Mexico City 1968 but are yet to win a medal.

As well as financial problems, the nation has also struggled with the deadly Ebola outbreak in the last year, meaning athletes were unable to compete at the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympics or the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games.



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