Why are you running as a candidate for the ISSA Athletes' Commission?
"I am running as a candidate for the ISSA
Athletes’ Commission because I believe athletes
have a part to play in shaping our sports. As
someone who has represented my country at
the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games,
and African Championships, I know firsthand
the challenges athletes, especially muslim
athletes, face on the field, in training
environments, and in life after sport.
My journey has shown me the power of sport
not only to transform individuals but also to
unite communities and create opportunities. Yet
too often, athletes’ voices are missing from the
conversations that impact our futures. I want to
help change that by ensuring the Commission is
an active platform where athletes’ perspectives
are heard, respected, and turned into action.
Beyond competing, I have worked in sports
leadership, media, and grassroots development.
This has given me a unique perspective on how
to bridge the gap between athletes,
federations, and the broader sports industry. I
want to use that experience to advocate for
better athlete representation, stronger
safeguarding, more resources for mental health
and career transition, and fair opportunities
across all regions.
Ultimately, I am running because I care deeply
about the global athlete community. I want
every athlete, regardless of sport, gender, or
background, to feel supported, empowered, and
represented. Through collaboration,
transparency, and innovation, I will work to
make sure the ISSA Athletes’ Commission truly
reflects the voices it serves."
I've listed the experiences/qualities I would
bring to the ISSA AC:
- Elite athlete experience – Olympian and
national team sprinter; represented Sierra Leone
at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games,
and African Championships.
- Athlete leadership – advocating for athlete
welfare, representation, and decision-making
inclusion
- Sports governance – As President of the Sierra
Leone Federation of American Football, building
structures for a new federation, securing
recognition, and building pipeline from
grassroots to elite to after sport opportunities
- Global sports media programming – Manager
in sports media, creating platforms to highlight
athlete stories and connect fans worldwide.
- Grassroots development – Founder of
initiatives linking sport with education, health,
and equity to inspire and empower young
people.
- Advocacy & communication skills –
Experienced in governance, outreach, and
digital engagement to amplify athlete voices.
- Commitment to athletes – Dedicated to
ensuring athletes at all levels feel supported,
represented, and prepared for life during and
after sport.
I will be a strong, authentic voice for our
community. As a competitor, I understand the
challenges we face both on and off the field. I
have a committed track record towards
advocacy and athlete-centered change. I will
work tirelessly to ensure every athlete feels
heard, respected, and supported throughout
their career and beyond.
The biggest challenge I have faced as an
athlete was was competing with limited
resources and support systems. Coming from
Sierra Leone, I often had to navigate training
without access to world-class facilities,
consistent funding, or the type of medical and
performance support needed to perform at an
elite level. At times, I trained alone, financed my
own competitions, and dealt with uncertainty
about whether I could even get to the starting
line. While these challenges were difficult, they
also shaped my resilience, creativity, and
determination. I balanced building a career in
corporate to support my athletic career. It gave
me a deep understanding of the struggles many
athletes face globally, which has fueled my
passion to advocate for fair opportunities,
better support, and stronger representation for
all athletes, especially coming from underserved
background and communities.
Growing up in an African Muslim household,
education was always the main priority. At first,
I saw sport only as a mandatory school activity,
but over time I fell in love with the passion of
competing.
The first Olympics I clearly remember was the
2008 Beijing Games, when Usain Bolt broke the
World Record. It was the first time I felt
connected to sport, and I decided to explore
where it could take me. My parents initially
didn’t see the opportunities, but as I began
earning scholarships to college, it became clear
to all of us that sport could unlock doors.
Competing in track & tennis at a D1 college, I
never imagined going further.
That changed during the 2012 London
Olympics, when I noticed Sierra Leone had little
representation and visibility. I dedicated myself
to changing that, committing the next four years
to represent Sierra Leone on the global stage.
What began as one Olympic dream has grown
into twelve years of competing internationally,
building platforms, and amplifying the African
Muslim athlete story. Sport has become my tool
to inspire the next generation to embrace their
roots proudly, compete with confidence, and
create lasting visibility.
Sport has changed my life in ways I never
imagined. It has taught me discipline, resilience,
and the power of community when adversity is
present. Competing on the world stage gave me
confidence and the ability to represent not just
myself, but my country and community with
pride. It has given a chance learn about the
needs of the communities I serve and to use
that insight to build meaningful relationships
that create real impact. Beyond performance,
sport opened doors to education, leadership,
and international networks that I never imagined
possible. Most importantly, it gave me a
purpose: to use my platform and experiences to
empower the next generation and ensure
athletes everywhere have the support and
opportunities they deserve.
If elected my, my top priorities would be:
Amplifying Athlete Voices – Ensuring athletes
from all regions and sports have a direct
channel to share their experiences, needs, and
concerns, and turning that feedback into
concrete action at the Commission level. (i.e.
creating a feedback pipe that functions locally
to regionally to globally)
Athlete Welfare and Development – Advocating
for stronger support systems around mental
health, safeguarding, fair treatment, and career
transition programs, so athletes are supported
both during and after their sporting careers.
(i.e. english language learning course or athlete
to coach transition program)
Representation and Equity – Building inclusive
policies and opportunities that reflect the
diversity of our athlete community, and creating
platforms that highlight athletes’ contributions
on and off the field/track/court (i.e. digital
spotlight campaign of athletes/teams in
different countries with breakthrough
performances or achievements)
resilient,
collaborative, and visionary
I’m passionate about using sport as a vehicle for
opportunity. I am a living example off how
sports can transcend your career, relationship,
personal development and create societal
change. I care deeply about athlete advocacy
making sure competitors have fair resources,
mental-health support, and clear pathways for
life after sport. That is why I leverage all my
time mentoring young athletes, building local
programs, and creating ladders from community
fields to international stages. I’m also
passionate about storytelling and media.
Diversity in the athlete voices is needed to
inspire investment, policy change, and broader
public support. Finally, I’m driven towards
forging partnerships between athletes,
federations, governments, and the private
sector to turn ideas into tangible programs that
uplift people across regions.
Athletes are the heartbeat of sports
infrastructure. Whether if it is a local game or a
Olympic final, athletes are a mandatory pillar in
the foundation of sports. Yet too often,
decisions are made about sport without truly
considering the people most affected by them.
Having lived the realities of training with limited
resources, competing on the world stage, and
navigating life beyond competition, I know how
critical it is that athletes’ perspectives are not
just heard, but acted upon. For me, elevating
athlete voices is about creating space for every
athlete, regardless of background or level, to be
represented and respected. It’s essential for
building a stronger, more inclusive sporting
community.
