By Emma Black
The Ministry of Sports has concluded a week of strategic engagements, stakeholder consultations, and national sporting activities aimed at strengthening sports governance and promoting grassroots development across Sierra Leone.
Officials of the Ministry attended a familiarization meeting convened by the newly constituted Parliamentary Oversight Sports Committee, chaired by Hon. Mariatu Sesay Pessima.
Representing the Ministry were Permanent Secretary J.S.K. Jusu; Director of Sports, Haroun Mustapha Korgi; the Ministry’s Accountant, Adonis; and Solomon. Key sports stakeholders also participated, including representatives from the National Sports Authority (NSA), the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), the Sierra Leone Cricket Association, and the Sierra Leone Athletics Association.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Parliament and sports institutions to enhance accountability and policy oversight.
Madam Minister, Augusta James-Teima, chaired her weekly leadership meeting with senior officials of the Ministry and the NSA, led by Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai. Discussions centered on strategic initiatives to expand nationwide sports development, with emphasis on youth empowerment and grassroots participation.
The President of the African Boxing Continental Federation, Solomon D. Kargbo, paid a courtesy visit to brief the Minister on developments relating to his new continental role and opportunities for Sierra Leonean boxing.
Similarly, Alie Hijazi, President of the Sierra Leone Basketball Association, updated the Minister on preparations for their ongoing gala activities and an upcoming national basketball tournament aimed at boosting domestic competition.
The Minister participated in a Cabinet meeting at State House, joining fellow ministers in deliberations on national governance and cross-sector development priorities, including the role of sports in youth employment and social cohesion.
Director of Sports, Haroun Mustapha Korgi, represented the Minister at the launch of the inaugural Inter-Forces Boxing Championship. The tournament, organized in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police and the Sierra Leone Boxing Association, aims to promote discipline, fitness, and unity among members of the security forces.
Madam Minister held a high-level internal meeting with Permanent Secretary J.S.K. Jusu and Director of Sports Haroun Mustapha Korgi to review ongoing programmes, administrative matters, and strategic planning for upcoming national sporting events.
The Minister, alongside the Japanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, senior government officials including Dr. Patrick K. Muana, Security Adviser to H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, and sports administrators, attended the 6th Edition of the Japanese Ambassador Karate Championship at the new YWCA Hall in Brookfields.
The championship, organized by the Sierra Leone Karate Federation and the Sierra Leone Judo Association, showcased emerging talent in martial arts. Dignitaries presented medals to outstanding karatekas and judokas in recognition of their performance.
Later that day, Director of Sports Haroun Mustapha Korgi, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports Steven Kaifala, and Senior Sports Development Officer Momodu Alpha supervised the election process of the Sierra Leone Scrabble Association at China House in Freetown, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to good governance within sporting bodies.
The week’s activities reflect the Ministry’s proactive approach to institutional strengthening, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots development. Through coordinated leadership and strategic partnerships, the Ministry of Sports continues to advance policies and programmes aimed at nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity, and positioning sports as a vehicle for national unity and youth empowerment.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 4th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
