{"id":2114,"date":"2025-06-24T15:29:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T15:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/?p=2114"},"modified":"2025-06-24T16:58:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:58:04","slug":"commonwealth-games-association-of-sierra-leone-concludes-memorable-kings-baton-relay-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/?p=2114","title":{"rendered":"Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone Concludes Memorable King\u2019s Baton Relay Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Nomoli figure used in designing the baton is often associated with ancestral guardianship, harvest, and spiritual protection<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Sierra Leone has successfully concluded its leg of the King\u2019s Baton Relay (KBR), marking a vibrant and unifying chapter of the Commonwealth journey to the Glasgow 2026 Games. The Baton\u2019s visit to Sierra Leone was celebrated with a series of high-profile cultural, environmental and sporting activities that engaged hundreds of citizens and showcased the country\u2019s heritage, resilience, and commitment to Commonwealth values.<\/p>\n

On 16 June, the Baton was officially welcomed to the capital, Freetown, during a well-attended celebration that drew over 440 participants from various sectors of society. The ceremony was headlined by Her Excellency Josephine Gauld, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, who formally presented the Baton to the nation. It was then unveiled on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who emphasized the transformative power of sport as a unifying force and a tool for national development.<\/p>\n

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The Chief Minister Dr. David Moinena Sengeh unveiling the baton<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Chief Minister posed with the British High Commissioner, CGA President, Minister of Sport and other sport stakeholders and athletes at State House where the Unveiling of the Baton was done<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The city streets came alive with a colourful Baton parade that included 200 athletes, government officials, private sector partners, and civil society representatives. Among the 80 dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Mayor of Freetown, city councillors, and municipal staff. Employees from leading national institutions such as Africell, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, and the National Tourist Board also participated, underscoring the inclusive and collaborative spirit of the event. The Baton handovers among these groups became powerful moments of shared pride, symbolizing the unity at the core of the Commonwealth movement.<\/p>\n

The Baton carried through Sierra Leone was especially significant, having been designed by British-Sierra Leonean fashion designer Foday Dumbuya, founder of LABRUM London. His design masterfully combined British tailoring with West African storytelling, using Sierra Leone\u2019s national colours and cultural motifs to reflect identity, heritage, and environmental consciousness. Central to the Baton\u2019s design is the Nomoli figure\u2014a carved stone artefact rooted in Sierra Leone\u2019s spiritual and cultural traditions, believed to offer protection and ancestral guidance. Its inclusion grounds the Baton in a uniquely Sierra Leonean narrative, offering the world a tangible connection to the nation\u2019s deep heritage.<\/p>\n

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The King’s Baton being paraded in the street of Freetown<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

As part of the Commonwealth\u2019s Clean Oceans initiative, a beach clean-up was held at Aberdeen Beach in Freetown. This activity was spearheaded by the Africell Impact Foundation, with participation from volunteers, community members, Africell staff, and Baton Relay participants. The clean-up aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect Sierra Leone\u2019s coastal environment from plastic pollution, which poses significant threats to agriculture, marine life, and livelihoods.<\/p>\n

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The President of CGA Sierra Leone Prince Vandy Sualley engaging in the Clean Ocean Campaign at Aberdeen Beach in Freetown<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

On 17 June, the Baton made its way inland to Mamoi Village near Kenema, where a culturally rich ceremony was held, gathering 211 participants including 35 traditional dancers, 25 school athletes, and 150 residents. The ceremony, led by the Village Headman, featured a vibrant welcome performance by members of the Bondo Society, who wore the iconic Sowei masks\u2014symbols of feminine beauty, transformation, and wisdom, unique in Africa for being worn exclusively by women.<\/p>\n

The cultural programme created a symbolic bridge between the Nomoli figure and the Sowei mask, two important artefacts representing ancestral guardianship and female leadership, respectively. The Baton\u2019s presence brought these traditions into a shared space, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n

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The Barton being celebrated in a cultural fashion in Mamoi village<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Youth performances included folklore presentations, acrobatics, gymnastics, and traditional dances. The event was also inclusive of individuals with disabilities, who actively participated in both the Relay and the cultural displays, reinforcing themes of diversity and inclusion. Attendees included traditional leaders, Bondo elders, and members of the Commonwealth Games Association, including the CGA President, General Secretary, Intern, and Executive Members. Eight Baton bearers carried the symbol of the Games through the village.<\/p>\n

The celebrations continued in Bo the following day, with 305 individuals participating in various activities. The Mayor of Bo, the Chairman of the Bo District Council, the Resident Minister South, Chief John Abu, and Brigadier General A. O. Kamara, Commander of the 5th Infantry Brigade, welcomed the Baton. A citywide parade followed, involving 100 athletes, 80 government officials, and 25 representatives from a local waste management company.<\/p>\n

An educational session on Commonwealth values was held at Methodist High School, where pupils engaged in discussions about the role of sport in unity and peace. A second clean-up exercise took place at Shelmingo Lorry Park, reinforcing the environmental messaging of the Baton\u2019s journey. Speakers highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of plastic pollution on water resources and farmland, advocating for sustainable practices at the local level.<\/p>\n

Sierra Leone\u2019s hosting of the King\u2019s Baton Relay ignited a powerful and culturally rich start to the African leg of the Baton\u2019s global journey. The involvement of athletes, schoolchildren, civic leaders, traditional custodians, artists, and environmental champions showcased the nation\u2019s commitment to unity, identity, and sustainability.<\/p>\n

Through its vibrant celebrations and meaningful engagement, Sierra Leone demonstrated how sport can bridge divides, promote cultural pride, and serve as a catalyst for environmental responsibility, all in anticipation of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n

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The President of CGA Sierra Leone handing over the Baton to the Managing Director of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Athletes, Coaches and other sport stakeholders posed for a snapshot at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Entrance<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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A cross section of athletes posed with the Baton at State House<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Minister of Sport Madam Augusta James Teima holding the baton alongside the British High Commissioner Her Excellency Josephine Gauld<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Baton being presented to the Mayor of Bo City Council in Bo<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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The baton being presented to the Mayor of Portloko City in Portloko<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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School pupils in Bo with the Baton<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

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Locals in Portloko with the baton<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  The Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) of Sierra Leone has successfully concluded its leg of the King\u2019s Baton Relay (KBR), marking a vibrant and unifying chapter of the Commonwealth journey to the Glasgow 2026 Games. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2114"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2117,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2114\/revisions\/2117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nocsalone.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}