The National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone marked World Cleanup Day ©NOCSL

The National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOCSL) marked World Cleanup Day by helping to tidy streets in the country's capital Freetown.

Volunteers in particular targeted Howe Street where the headquarters of the NOCSL are located.

Dr. Patrick Coker, the President of the NOCSL, said the initiative to create a clean environment was important, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

The NOCSL were joined by Freetown's City Council and non-Governmental organisations for the project.

Various sporting governing bodies were involved, including boxing, athletics, swimming, wrestling and table tennis.

Discussions were held with local businesses and people living in the area before the cleaning started.

Cleaning took place in the capital city Freetown ©NOCSL
Cleaning took place in the capital city Freetown ©NOCSL

Dr. Foday M. Jaward, the country's Environment Minister, was among those to take part.

Sierra Leone's involvement came after the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa encouraged the continent's NOCs to mark the occasion.

World Cleanup Day was launched in 2018 and has the aim of "ridding the planet of trash".

Last year, more than 21.2 million people are said to have got involved in 180 countries.

Sierra Leone is still waiting for its first Olympic medal of any colour, having competed at 11 editions of the Summer Games.