The Ministry of Finance has officially approved the National Sports Authority (NSA) FY 2026 budget following a compelling presentation by NSA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
“Despite the limited resources allocated to the NSA over the years, the achievements of various sporting disciplines at both national and international levels have been remarkable,” Dr. Abdulai said during his presentation. “The outstanding performance of Sierra Leone’s U-17 female team at the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Tournament in Liberia is just one example among many.”
Dr. Abdulai explained that the NSA’s proposed budget slightly exceeds its 2026 ceiling due to the scale of planned activities aligned with the Government’s Five Big Game Changers agenda. He appealed to the Ministry of Finance for consideration of the excess amount to ensure successful implementation.
“Although the sports sector has faced significant resource constraints in recent years, the Government of President Retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio is now on record for providing unprecedented financial and moral support to sports,” he added.
Following the presentation, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, civil society, and non-state actors commended Dr. Abdulai for his transformative leadership of the NSA. They praised the Authority’s positive impact on young people across the country and jointly recommended the approval of the proposed budget.
Established by an Act of Parliament, the National Sports Authority is mandated to promote, encourage, and develop sports and sporting activities across Sierra Leone.
