NSA Director Says the Authority Skipped Sports Conference Because “We Weren’t Invited”

November 27, 2025

The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has explained why the Authority chose not to attend the two-day National Sports Consultative Conference held in Freetown.

Speaking in an interview, Dr. Abdulai said the NSA received no invitation to the event, a situation he described as both unexpected and concerning. He emphasized that the NSA plays a major role in shaping and enforcing Sierra Leone’s national sports policies, so leaving the institution out of such an important discussion raises serious questions.

“We were not invited,” he said. “Any conversation about creating or reviewing national sports laws should involve all key stakeholders. Planning such a process without the NSA is not proper and does not support sports development.”

He noted that the Authority’s exclusion highlights deeper issues about coordination and respecting institutional mandates.

Dr. Abdulai stressed that progress in sports governance depends on involving everyone, maintaining transparency, and working together. He added that the NSA is still committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Sports and other partners, but such cooperation must be built on respect, proper communication, and adherence to national governance standards.

Despite the misunderstanding, he reassured the public that the NSA remains focused on strengthening sports administration, supporting athletes, and improving Sierra Leone’s performance both locally and internationally.

He concluded by calling for better coordination going forward, warning that poor communication can slow down progress in the sports sector.