By Sulaiman Jalloh
Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of the National Sport Authority (NSA), said sport is an expensive industry hence it needs huge capital for operations. He stated that sport is the biggest employer in Sierra Leone.
The NSA boss was speaking at the weekly government press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation conference hall on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Dr. Emmanual Saffa Abdulai said sport creates huge employment while it keeps people entertained and united.
He added that he took over the National Sport Authority leadership mantle, introducing seven pillars that ranges from infrastructural development to the decentralization of sports for national identity. “In just six months in office, I have provided leadership for the drafting of four sports statutory regulations. These draft regulations are now ready to be tabled in Parliament,” he narrated pressmen.
Dr. Abdulai underscored that, despite Sierra Leone being a small country, they will be hosting the secretariat of the African Traditional Games and sports Federation, something he said is a big achievement for the sporting industry in Sierra Leone.
“As a small West African nation, Sierra Leone is hosting the secretariat of the Africa Traditional Games and Sports Federation. Already, we have granted Namibia the right to host the 2026 edition of the Traditional Games Tournament as Zimbabwe is set for the 2028 equivalent,” he revealed.
The Executive Director maintained that his agency is now focusing on taking sports to schools and universities across the country, thus will encourage the young boys to love football and take it as a carrier.
He noted that sport is a driven pillar to help the government the five Big Game Changers, saying it is the greatest revenue generator in the country and provides more jobs for citizens.
The National Sports Authority is an agency of Government established by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to promote, encourage, develop, and supervise all sports and sporting activities in Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.
