Sad to inform the general public that the Judo athlete, Frederick Harris was disqualified today from competing in the 81kg event. The athlete weigh 84Kg which is 4Kg above his fighting weight. The NOC is disappointed at this development and vehemently condemns the athlete and the Judo Federation for failing to monitor the weight. Let it be known that Frederick Harris was issued a Wild Card Qualification by the International Judo Federation as best Looser in the African Championship held in Madagascar in 2020. The Judo Federation received the invitation and accepted it with a strong pledge that the athlete will compete. The NOC then prepared the Accreditation and did the necessary for the athlete to compete. Today 27th July, we were all sitting in the Games Village watching the TV hoping to see him in action, when suddenly we saw Sierra Leone as ‘Did Not Start’ . It’s unfortunate concerning the investment the NOC and the government of Sierra Leone have done towards the athletes.
However, the issue has already been presented to the Minister of Sports and the NSA Executive Director who are here in Japan. An investigation will be carried out for possible sanctions against the athlete and maybe Judo as a Federation. Meanwhile the NOC has informed NSA that the athlete will be removed from the Games Village and will return home earlier than scheduled. The process is now on.
In another development the female Swimmer Tity Dumbuya tested Positive for Covid 19 in Ghana on her way to Japan. She was held at the Ghana airport for a second test which fortunately turned out to be Negative. She is now on her way to Japan. She has been scheduled through Ethiopia then Korea before she arrives in Japan. According to flight schedule she will arrive in time to compete.
By Unisa Deen Kargbo CDM
