The Sierra Leone Arm-Wrestling Federation, together with the Ministry of Sports, has appointed Ambassador Umar Fuad Bawoh as the new President of the Sierra Leone Arm-Wrestling Federation.

This appointment marks a significant step forward in the development of arm wrestling as a recognized sport within the country.

According to the Minister of Sport, Madam Augusta James Teima, the appointment is a remarkable achievement and evidence of the Ministry’s strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to introducing new sporting discipline in the country.

She emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to supporting the Arm-Wrestling Federation under Ambassador Bawoh’s leadership, expressing hope that he will drive the sport’s growth and popularity nationwide.

In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Bawoh acknowledged the unique challenges posed by arm wrestling, noting that it requires a strong and effective organizational structure due to its distinct discipline and technicalities. He outlined his plans to raise awareness of the sport across the country, with a particular focus on introducing arm wrestling in secondary schools.

“We plan to identify both international and local coaches who will help promote arm wrestling in Sierra Leone,” Bawoh said. “Currently, we have established a network nationwide to identify young, determined Sierra Leoneans, and we are working towards organizing a nationwide tournament.”

Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s recent achievements in the sport, Bawoh recalled the country’s success in an African competition last year, where Sierra Leonean athletes secured a gold medal by finishing in third and fourth positions. He stressed the importance of popularizing and structuring the sport to maintain and enhance Sierra Leone’s international standing in arm wrestling.

Bawoh called on Sierra Leoneans to support the development of arm wrestling, highlighting the need for collective effort to ensure the sport’s sustainability and global recognition.

He pledged his full commitment to building a robust arm-wrestling structure that would elevate Sierra Leone’s presence on the international stage and encourage greater participation, particularly among women.