NSA Faces Pressure to Allocate Funds to Other Sports

September 22, 2024

The Sierra Leone National Sports Authority (NSA) is facing growing pressure from various sports associations to redirect funds from football to other sporting disciplines.

Advocates are calling for around 40% of the football budget to be shifted to sports such as cycling and cricket, which have shown more promising results. They argue that while football has struggled to deliver significant returns, other sports have brought notable achievements.

Recently, the Sierra Leone Cycling Team secured gold at the Tour de Côte d'Ivoire, with Moses Kamara taking first place on day four of the 8-day competition, surpassing competitors from countries like Togo, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon.

Despite football’s popularity in Sierra Leone, recent performances, including the national team’s struggles in international competitions, have intensified calls for greater support of other sports. Cycling, in particular, has gained attention, especially with the success of the Tour de Lunsar, which attracts participants from across the region.