NSA Collaborates with Stakeholders to Strengthen National Sports Development Fund
The National Sports Authority (NSA) hosted a significant meeting today at the City Hall View Conference room, gathering eighty sports stakeholders from sixty-one organizations. The meeting aimed to finalize the establishment of the National Sports Development Fund, a crucial initiative for advancing sports development in Sierra Leone.
Discussions focused on the draft statutory instrument that outlines the Fund’s governance structure, revenue sources, eligibility criteria, and the roles and responsibilities of participating entities. Since President Bio launched the National Sports Basket Fund in December 2021 with a ten-billion-Leone donation, efforts have been underway to expand its impact.
Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, Executive Director of NSA, emphasized the importance of collaboration in shaping the Fund’s framework. “The regulations governing the Sports Development Foundation are being crafted to harness expert insights from our stakeholders,” he stated. Dr. Abdulai urged sporting organizations to meet established benchmarks for government support within the next six months, stressing the need for organizational growth and stability.
Hon. Hindolo Mohamed Ngevao, Chairman of the Parliamentary Sports Oversight Committee, praised the NSA’s fiscal prudence under Dr. Abdulai’s leadership and affirmed parliament’s role in ensuring transparent governance of public funds. “Sport transcends mere recreation; it fosters unity and influences societal well-being,” he noted. Former Minister of Sport and newly appointed NSA Board Chairman, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, highlighted the transformative potential of the Sports Fund in supporting high-performing sports organizations.
Madam Augusta James-Teima, Minister of Sports, confirmed her ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the NSA to advance national sports objectives. “Serious efforts are now underway to elevate sports governance and infrastructure,” she declared, indicating the ministry’s proactive role in leveraging the Development Fund for tangible community benefits.
During the second phase of the meeting, stakeholders participated in focused group discussions led by NSA Project Coordinator Michael S. Mustapha and supported by NSA volunteers. These discussions aimed to refine strategies for fund utilization and program implementation, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder input in shaping Sierra Leone’s sports landscape. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the National Sports Development Fund’s pivotal role in fostering sustainable sports growth and enhancing national pride through athletic excellence.
