By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

On the 23rd -25th April, 2025, Mano River Union member States concluded their first Annual General Meeting.  The AGM was organized on the formation of the Mano River Deaf Sports Union with representatives from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone which is the host nation.

The Momentous Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at the Sightsavers’ Conference Room, Connaught Teaching Hospital Complex on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.

On day one, all participants made self-introduction to know one other better.

Madam Theresa Ramatu Sesay voluntarily chaired the sessions which were supposed to be chaired by one Mr. Sheku A.Koroma but he was unavoidably absent due to other busy schedules.

In her welcoming remarks as Chairperson of the event, Mrs.Theresa Ramatu Sesay informed  participants that she is the National President of the Sierra Leone Deaf Football Federation  whilst she is also serving as the newly selected Interim Vice President II of the Mano River Deaf Sports Union.

She said her organization had participated in most of the deaf tournament and have even retained runners up position during the last West African Deaf Football Tournament in Abidjan,Ivory Coast, 2023.

At first, Mrs. Sesay expressed thanks and appreciations, especially to those members who’ve travelled from other sister’s countries like Guinea and Liberia, though Ivory Coast fails to send their representatives.

She emphasized that the seminars were conducted in order to continue raising awareness on the importance of promoting deaf sports within the Mano River Union member States and beyond.

She noted that the formation of this Mano River Deaf Sports Union is a step in the right path, as it will definitely succeed in bringing sustainable developments and improvements in deaf sporting across member States.

“To succeed as deaf people, we need to firmly united in all our activities and the Mano River Deaf Sports Union is now serving as a perfect platform for unity amongst deaf colleagues in the Mano River Union member States, which includes Sierra Leone,Guinea , Liberia and Ivory Coast,” Vice President II narrated.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sesay used the opportunity to applaud one Unisa J.P.Kamara and Wife for being so supportive of the deaf community in Sierra Leone throughout these years despite the current global economic crisis.

She described the couples as “Redeemers” for deaf people in Sierra Leone and disclosed to the gathering that these two personalities have done extremely well in order to structure the formation of deaf sport in Sierra Leone.

In his Keynote Address as Interim President of the Mano River Deaf Sports Union,Octavius Bud Vorkpor ,who also serves as the President of the Liberia National Deaf Football Federation,thank all those present , especially the Secretary General of the Union, Solomon Sabondo for coordinating and overseeing the entire exercise in good faith.

Mr. Bud Vorkpor said, the Seminar was convened in order to bring together all Mano River Union member States to a roundtable dialogue with the aim of establishing a union that will cater for the sports development needs of deaf sportsmen and women.

“Deaf Sports will definitely help to unit us as one united family under the Mano River Deaf Sports Union and will also help to develop the God given talents of all deaf sportsmen and women, especially in deaf football, volleyball,handball and other exciting sporting disciplines,” Bud Vorkpor admitted.

He stated that issues relating to welfare conditions for deaf people were deliberated exclusively and the three day sessions actually brought about lot of exciting moments amongst deaf members. Other participants opined that coming together as a union to promote sports in the Mano River Union will not only foster development,peace and social cohesion, but it will promote unity, love and freedom.

On the 25th April, 2025, a delegation from the three member States visited the Mano River Union Secretariat on 32 Fudia Terrace,Spur Loop , Wilberforce in Freetown and the delegation was officially received by the Programme Officer, Jerry B. Tarbolo,Jr on behalf  of the MRU  Secretary General, Ambassador Simeon M-B Moribah.

Speaking on behalf of the Delegation, the Secretary General of the Mano River Deaf Sports Union, Solomon Sabondo who also serves as the Secretary General of the West Africa Deaf Sports Union (WADSU), was making a statement and submission of the constitution to the MRU Secretariat.

He noted that the three days engagement was eventful, and its outcomes inspired all participants in a future full of successes and breakthroughs for deaf sportsmen and women in the Mano River Union States.

“Our first and foremost goal is to get our union  registered in Liberia and we will then go ahead to open the bank account in Sierra Leone, Freetown,” WADSU Secretary General divulged.

“We also want the Sierra Leone National Sports Authority (SL/NSA) to fast-track our request to participate in the 13th Edition of the West African Deaf Football Tournament which is scheduled to take place in Abuja , Nigeria between the 15th – 31st August,2025,” Mr.Sabondo disclosed.

He however took the opportunity to heartily applaud all member States for participating in the 1st Annual General Meeting (AGM),whilst calling on the leadership of the Mano River Union member States to prioritize deaf sports across the regions with strong policies put in place.

Speaking on behalf of the MRU Secretariat,the Programme Officer, Jerry B.Tarbolo welcomed the delegation from the Mano River Deaf Sports Union and assured them of the Secretariat fullest support in order to promote the welfare of all deaf people within the MRU member States.