By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The National Sports Authority (NSA) Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has highlighted major reforms in the sports industry which shows that they’re geared up for More goodies for sports in the country.
According to him, since taking over the leadership at NSA on the 15th of April 2024, they have had several discussions with the Minister of Sport, with a focus on infrastructure as a key priority. Dr. Abdulai emphasized the importance of sufficient infrastructure for sports to thrive in the country, announcing that the next year’s budget would heavily focus on developing such infrastructure.
Furthermore, he reiterated the Minister of Sport’s emphasis on enhancing governance in sporting associations, stressing the necessity for every sport association to have a formal constitution to avoid legal issues. Abdulai also mentioned that for NSA and the Ministry of Sports to support any sporting association, they must meet the government’s benchmarks. He highlighted the importance of local sports participation and the need for sports associations to decentralize the game, stating that sports should be played not just in Freetown, but all over the country.
Dr. Abdulai also emphasized the significance of accountability and transparency within sports organizations, due to the substantial government investments. He pointed out the need for sports associations to clearly outline what they will receive from their partners and what they will contribute in return. Another major reform he discussed was the promotion of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that individuals of all genders and physical abilities have an equal place in sports.
Regarding the economic impact of sports, Dr. Abdulai noted that it was a significant sector for job creation, aligning with President Bio’s goal of creating 500,000 jobs. He cited an example where the government allocated 5.4 billion Leones for the operation of male and female leagues, resulting in the creation of 3,000 jobs. Abdulai stressed the importance of investing more resources in sports to further increase employment opportunities and highlighted sports’ role in reducing drug abuse and unemployment rates.
Looking ahead, Dr. Abdulai expressed a goal to modernize sports infrastructure and provide adequate equipment for various sports disciplines. He mentioned the importance of equipping schools and communities with sports facilities and gear. Dr. Abdulai’s vision for the future of sports in Sierra Leone emphasizes inclusivity, transparency, and the economic potential of the sector.
Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has announced that Sierra Leone will be hosting an International Sport Secretariat for African traditional games and sports for the first time. He reminisced about the traditional games played in their youth, such as ludo and hide-and-seek, which are being revived by the African Union. Dr. Abdulai, who is now the President of the African traditional games, mentioned that Sierra Leone will also host Secretariat competitions, with Namibia and Zimbabwe hosting the All African Traditional Games in 2026 and 2028 respectively.
It was noted that, beyond Freetown, interest in sports is mainly focused on football. The National Sports Authority (NSA) is working closely with the Ministry of Education to promote participation in various sports within schools, involving all sports associations in program development. Dr. Abdulai emphasized the need to organize four competitions annually in preparation for the 2028 Olympic competitions, which has been discussed with the Ministry of Sport and the National Olympic Committee.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdulai highlighted the economic potential of sports, citing Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame who has successfully leveraged sports to create jobs. He urged Sierra Leone to view sports as a branding and development tool, stating that it can contribute to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. While acknowledging that some individuals in Sierra Leone prioritize sports over education, he stressed the importance of tying their sporting interests to acquiring a basic education. Dr. Abdulai encouraged public contributions to the sport basket fund to alleviate the financial burden on the government.
