By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 13, 2026: The National Sports Authority (NSA) has held its 2026 Sport Growth Conference at the View Conference Hall, City Hall, Freetown, under the theme “Driving Sports Development Across Sierra Leone.”
The one-day event brought together over forty sports officials representing various disciplines and organizations registered with the NSA. The conference aimed to harvest ideas and generate working points that will guide the Authority’s operations and strengthen its mandate.
Opening the event, Deputy Executive Director of NSA, Dr. Abdul Rahman Swaray, emphasized that young people must be central beneficiaries of sports development. Chairing the session, Mr. Sahid Mohamed Conteh, Director of Physical Health Education at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, described sport as “the best subject in the world,” urging participants to engage meaningfully.
Representing the NSA Board Chairman, Mr. Francis Sahr Alpha, Head of Sport at Fourah Bay College, highlighted sport as a powerful tool for national transformation. He stressed the need for strategic, inclusive policies and practical actions to elevate sports nationwide.
Launching the conference, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sport, Haroun Korjie, standing in for the Minister, underscored the role of sports in Sierra Leone’s national identity. He called for synergy among institutions, stressing that good governance and innovation are key to sustainable growth.
Executive Director of NSA, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, reaffirmed the Authority’s proven track record, noting that it was established by an Act of Parliament. He outlined five regulatory frameworks drafted by the NSA, ready for institutionalization, and highlighted the ongoing Nationwide Artificial Turf Project, with installations already underway in Kailahun and other districts.
Dr. Abdulai disclosed that the NSA now has presence in all 22 district councils and urged sporting associations to expand across the country. He praised cricket as Sierra Leone’s most successful sport, followed by karate and boxing, while stressing the need for predictable funding and infrastructure development.
He further revealed plans to partially hand over the National Stadium facilities, including the practice field, swimming pool, and hostel, for use. He pledged robust anti-doping mechanisms, staff capacity building, and financial support for associations that meet NSA benchmarks.
“Athletes should be paid monthly. The top ones should not struggle to pay university fees—we must give them scholarships,” he said, calling for innovative funding models to sustain sports growth.
The conference concluded with plenary sessions designed to generate actionable points that will guide NSA’s internal operations and strengthen its role in driving sports development across Sierra Leone.