By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, presented his two-year achievements in office to the nation through a well-attended press conference held on Monday, 20th April 2026 at the Authority’s Headquarters in Freetown.
Addressing journalists, Dr. Abdulai expressed gratitude to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his appointment to lead the country’s only statutory sports agency. He recalled assuming office with a seven-pillar agenda covering transparency and accountability, infrastructural development, capacity building, and the devolution of sports, among others.
“Two years on, with the support of my staff, we have reformed the entire administration of the NSA,” Dr. Abdulai told newsmen. He cited realigned staffing for efficiency and service delivery, recruitment and promotion of deserving personnel, deployment of staff to local councils to drive sporting activities nationwide, introdued an open-door policy and team work, drafted five sports regulations and policies, capacity building through various managerial and development programmes at national and international, increased financial support to NSOs among others.
On infrastructural development, his PowerPoint presentation showcased evidence of ongoing projects, including the Tihun Artificial Turf and the almost completed Kailahun Artificial Turf. “In just two years, I have delivered four artificial turfs, and by the end of the year, the number will increase,” he stated. He added that the latest addition, Kono, which is being facilitated through the Office of the First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio”.
He also cited the Hill Station Tennis Court renovation which the NSA supported and is now attracting people people within the Hill Station Community to playing Tennis.