By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliamentary Committee on Sports has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing the rehabilitation of the National Stadium, urging the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) to provide a clear and definite timeline for the project’s full completion.
The Committee made this call during an oversight engagement with officials from the Ministry of Sports and the NSA on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, at the Administrative Building of Parliament in Tower Hill, Freetown. The meeting focused on progress updates on the ongoing rehabilitation works and the challenges affecting the completion of the country’s premier sporting facility.
Chairing the session, Hon. Rachel Pessima Sesay welcomed officials from the Ministry and the NSA, commending them for honouring Parliament’s invitation. She also congratulated the newly appointed Executive Director of the NSA and expressed optimism that strengthened cooperation between the Ministry and the Authority would improve sports administration in Sierra Leone.
Members of the Committee described the National Stadium rehabilitation project as a matter of national importance, stressing that its continued closure has negatively affected sports development in the country.
They noted that the absence of a fully operational stadium has deprived athletes and supporters of the opportunity to host and attend major sporting events at home. They further highlighted that national teams have been forced to play international fixtures outside Sierra Leone due to the unavailability of the facility.
The Committee reminded officials that Parliament approved the grant agreement for the rehabilitation project and therefore has a constitutional responsibility to monitor its implementation and ensure that the intended benefits are delivered to the people of Sierra Leone.
Members also urged the Ministry and the NSA to maintain regular communication with Parliament and seek timely support whenever challenges arise that could delay completion of the project.
Responding to the concerns, officials from the Ministry of Sports and the NSA thanked Parliament for its continued oversight and support. They explained that the rehabilitation project began in February 2022 and that significant progress has been made on several components of the stadium complex.
According to the officials, several facilities have already been completed, including the swimming pool, basketball court, volleyball court, tennis courts, hostel facilities, restaurant, and practice pitch.
The Deputy Executive Director of the NSA, Dr. Abdul Rahman Swaray, informed the Committee that a partial handover of completed facilities is scheduled for 30th June 2026. However, he noted that the main stadium bowl remains incomplete due to delays in the installation of individual plastic seats.
Officials explained that the installation of plastic seats became a mandatory requirement by international football governing bodies, including FIFA and CAF, during the rehabilitation process. They added that this requirement was not included in the original agreement signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Chinese Government.
They further stated that following discussions between Sierra Leonean authorities and Chinese officials, the Chinese Government agreed in principle to carry out the additional work. However, formal written approval from Beijing is still being awaited before the second phase of the project can commence.
The Director disclosed that a high-level meeting was held on 25th May 2026, involving officials from the Ministry of Sports, NSA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Works, and representatives from the Chinese Embassy.
He said several key decisions were reached, including seeking presidential intervention to expedite approval from the Chinese Government, proceeding with the partial handover of completed facilities, recruiting technical personnel and labourers, shipping required construction materials and machinery, and holding regular monitoring meetings with key stakeholders.
The Executive Director of the NSA, Mr. Mohammed Alpha Conteh, told Committee Members that he had personally engaged President Julius Maada Bio on the matter and appealed for his intervention to help speed up the approval process.
He added that discussions with the Chinese Embassy are ongoing, with stakeholders exploring both diplomatic and technical solutions to ensure the timely completion of the stadium.
However, Committee Members expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed partial handover and demanded a clear and specific timeframe for the completion of the entire project.
In response, officials stated that, based on projections from the Chinese contractors, the installation of the plastic seats is expected to take approximately fourteen months once approval is granted and work officially begins.
The Committee also raised concerns over reports from whistleblowers alleging that supporting pillars within the stadium had been removed, prompting questions about the structural safety of the facility.
Officials dismissed the concerns, clarifying that the main structural pillars were not removed. They explained that temporary support structures that did not meet international safety standards were dismantled and replaced with reinforced pillars following technical assessments conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Works.
They assured the Committee that the stadium remains structurally safe and that all necessary measures have been taken to comply with international standards.
Beyond the current arrangement, Members recommended that the Government explore alternative financing options, including private sector partnerships and supplementary budget support, should delays from external partners continue to affect the project.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Rachel Pessima Sesay* thanked officials from the Ministry of Sports and the NSA for their engagement and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at completing the National Stadium.
She announced that the Committee would conduct an oversight visit to the stadium prior to the scheduled partial handover ceremony and urged sports authorities to continue providing Parliament with regular updates on the project.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from both Parliament and sports authorities to collaborate towards the completion of the National Stadium, which remains a vital facility for sports development and national pride.