By: Alpha Barrie Alpha
Gabriel McDuffie, US Based Sierra Leonean Wrestler has donated wrestling equipment to the Sierra Leone Wrestling Association (SLWA).
The symbolic handover ceremony of the equipment which includes 18 singlets and 10 pairs of wrestling shoes was held on Thursday, November 21th 2024, at the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE) Headquarters in Freetown; where McDuffie and other former national wrestlers’ joined via zoom platform.
Speaking during the event, the SLWA\s President Prince Sualley, who doubles as the President of the National Olympic Committee and also chairperson of the programme, lauded McDuffie’s donation, noting that it’s a noteworthy boost for the sport in the country, which has historically struggled with inadequate resources and limited international representation.
“This is a milestone moment for Sierra Leone wrestling. Gabriel’s support will help nurture talent and raise the profile of our sport,” he said.
“As a president of that association I am very happy for the gesture. The equipment are very important it might be a few wrestling singlets, not symbolically but the substance is very important. Most of our athletes across the globe of all the sporting disciplines don’t have the tools and equipment that they need to really enhance their God’s giving talents so whenever you have an additional boost in whichever way you can help facilitate their progress towards sports development, hopefully that could inspire other well-being Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora who are probably thinking about the same thing,” the SLWA’s told pressmen.
For his part, Gabriel Mcduffie expressed his pride in reconnecting with his ancestral roots and his dedication to empower young athletes in Sierra Leone.
“This is just the beginning. Wrestling has given me so much, and I want to share those opportunities with the next generation of wrestlers in Sierra Leone,” he said.
McDuffie’s journey to rediscover his heritage has been an emotional one. After recently tracing his lineage back to Sierra Leone, he has embraced his new found identity with enthusiasm and pride, promising to represent Sierra Leone on the international stage.
The wrestler’s debut for Sierra Leone will be at the 2025 African Wrestling Championships, which will take place in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 29 to May 4, 2025.
McDuffie said he hope to visit Sierra Leone frequently as he will continue to support his wrestling programs through mentorship and further donations.
This donation is not only about sports but also a evidence to the power of heritage and the continuing ties that connect the Diasporas to their roots, inspiring a new tendency of pride and optimism for the future of wrestling. Statements were also made by Unisa Deen Kargbo, the Treasurer of the National Olympic Committee and former national wrestlers, Hajaratu Kamara who is based in Australia, with national coach Ramadan Kanu giving the vote of thanks.