By David Emile.
The President of the Sierra Leone Weightlifting Association, Mohamed Bangura, popularly known as Manager Raga, has been elected as an Executive Board Member of Commonwealth Sport, giving Sierra Leone a stronger voice at the highest level of Commonwealth sporting administration.
Speaking in an exclusive interview after his election, Bangura explained that 13 candidates contested for the position, with the election conducted through a secret ballot. He emerged as the candidate with the highest number of votes, securing his place among the eight existing Executive Board members responsible for taking key decisions on behalf of Commonwealth Sport.
According to Bangura, the Executive Board plays a crucial role in overseeing the organisation’s activities, including financial matters, major sporting decisions and issues surrounding the hosting of the Commonwealth Games.
Asked how Sierra Leone would benefit from his election, Bangura said his new position would allow him to directly advocate for the country’s athletes and sporting associations. He said he would push for greater opportunities and increased quotas for Sierra Leone whenever slots are allocated for Commonwealth competitions.
Bangura explained that his decision to contest was motivated by the need for stronger Sierra Leonean representation in Commonwealth sporting decision-making. He believes Sierra Leone should not only receive decisions made by others but should also have a seat at the table where those decisions are made.
He said his experience and contributions to sports gave him the confidence to contest, adding: “I wanted to stand, and when I stood, I won.”
Bangura described his election as a great blessing for Sierra Leone’s sporting family, saying it is an opportunity to represent the country and contribute meaningfully to the development of sports across the Commonwealth.
He pledged to use his new position to advocate for Sierra Leone, create more opportunities for athletes and ensure the country has a stronger voice within Commonwealth Sport.
The Commonwealth Federation Executive Board 2026 – 2030 elected members include:
Dr. Sahdev Yadev (India) First Vice President
Luisa Peters (Cook Islands) Vice President
Tikire Boukar (Cameroon) Vice President
Dr. Abdul Ibrahim A (Nigeria) Vice President
Tom Liaw (Singapore) Vice President
Loa Dika Toua (Papua New Guinea) Executive Board Member
John O Ogolla (Kenya) Executive Board Member
Muhid HD Hadi, Dinie. ABD Rahman (Brunei) Executive Board Member
RMS Sonka Ratnayake (Sri Lanka) Executive Board Member
Ssenkugu Salim Musoke (Uganda) Executive Board Member
W G. Cdr Mohyuddin Ahmed (Bangladesh) Executive Board Member
Mohamed Bangura (Sierra Leone) Executive Board Member
Trent Dabwido (Naoero) Assistant Secretary
Andrew Callander (Barbados) Chair, Coaching Education & Research Committee
