The National Sports Authority (NSA) of Sierra Leone that was established through an Act of Parliament in 2017 to replace the National Sports Council (NSC) and is now responsible for supervising all sporting activities in the country, held its first strategic management retreat at the Galliness Paradise Hotel in Bo over the weekend.
NSA Executive Director Dr. Kenneth Brima’s opening statement focused on the authority’s background managing all sporting activities in the country, citing as an example the Ghanaian National Sports Authority established by President Nkrumah, which led to that nation’s successful achievements in sporting activities in and outside Ghana.
He said the establishment of the authority in Sierra Leone has led to the country achieving a lot with the support of the government and the Ministry of Sports.
Some of the achievements include the two National ‘A’ Team Leone Stars friendlies and the establishment of offices in Falaba, Bo and other parts of the country.
Dr Brima said he was happy to establish a good working relationship with the SLFA when fixing the artificial turf in Kenema.
He, however, highlighted five key deliverables for 2021: strengthen sports governance at national and international level; promote increased sustainable funding for sports; promote increased participation and competition in sports at all levels; enhance the development and management of sports infrastructures and facilities; and promote sports education and research.
With their motto of “Inclusive Participation” NSA aims to take sports to the chiefdoms and villages across the country.
The chairman of the retreat, Dr Abdul Rahman Swaray, who doubles as Deputy NSA Director, highlighted the importance of the authority in sports development in the country.