By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, April 14, 2026 – Minister of Sports Augusta James-Teima has formally invited the National Sports Authority (NSA) to a meeting to discuss procedures for appointing national team coaches, referees, umpires, and judges, in line with provisions of Sierra Leone’s sports laws.
The correspondence, dated April 10 and delivered on April 13, emphasized the need for clear rules of engagement in the recruitment of technical staff for national teams. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, at the Ministry of Sports Conference Hall.
According to the Ministry, the discussion comes at a critical time following the dismissal of the Leone Stars technical team, just as the national side prepares for qualification matches in a major competition. The Ministry insists that proper procedures must be established to avoid disruptions and ensure transparency in future appointments.
The issue of coach appointments has long been a point of contention between the Ministry of Sports and the NSA. Under the NSA Act of 2017, the Minister of Sports is mandated to prescribe procedures for the appointment of national team coaches. However, NSA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai recently told the public via Radio Democracy 98.1 that the Ministry has never fulfilled this obligation, leaving gaps in the governance of sports administration.
Observers note that the lack of clarity has fueled disputes over who holds ultimate authority in appointing technical staff, often leading to instability within national teams. The upcoming meeting is therefore seen as a pivotal step toward resolving these institutional tensions and ensuring that Sierra Leone’s sports sector operates under a unified framework.
The outcome of the engagement is expected to shape the future of coach recruitment and strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and the NSA in advancing national sports development.