Barrister Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, Esq., the newly appointed Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has pledged to uphold discipline and professionalism in the sports sector, vowing to maintain decorum as mandated by President Retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

“I am instructed to maintain decorum in the sporting sector,” Conteh stated during the official handover ceremony held at the NSA’s New Signal Hill Road office. “To achieve this, I need teamwork and collaboration from everyone.”

The ceremony marked the formal transfer of leadership from outgoing Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai to Conteh, following Abdulai’s relief from duty by President Bio on April 30, 2026.

Conteh expressed gratitude to President Bio and his government for entrusting him with the NSA’s mandate. He commended his predecessor, describing Abdulai’s tenure as laying a “solid foundation upon which we will continue to build.”

Related News

“Sports is more than competition. It unites people across regions, tribes, religions, and generations. It inspires hope, discipline, teamwork, and national pride,” Conteh said. “In every stadium, community field, school competition, and international tournament, we see the power of sports to transform lives and strengthen our nation.”

The new NSA boss outlined a clear vision for his leadership. “As I assume this office, I do so with a clear vision: to promote transparency, professionalism, inclusiveness, and excellence in the administration of sports,” he said. “Together, we will work tirelessly to create opportunities for our athletes, empower our youth, improve sporting infrastructure, and elevate our nation’s presence on the regional and global stage.”

He emphasized that success requires collective effort. “This journey cannot be accomplished by one person alone. Success will require unity, accountability, innovation, and collective effort. My doors will remain open to constructive ideas, dialogue, and partnerships that advance the interests of sports and national development.”

Conteh called on all stakeholders to move forward with confidence and purpose to nurture talent, inspire dreams, and build a sporting culture that every Sierra Leonean can be proud of.

In his remarks before presenting the official handover notes, Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai congratulated his successor and pledged full support should any clarification be needed on his report. He acknowledged that while the sports sector faced growing challenges during his tenure, significant milestones were achieved, including the drafting of key regulatory frameworks, improvements in staff welfare and administrative processes, enhanced transparency and accountability, recruitment and staff promotions, increased funding for sporting competitions, and advancement of sports infrastructure development.

Presiding over the ceremony, Board Chairman Ibrahim Nyelenkeh described the occasion as historic, calling it “one brother handing over power to another brother.”

“Today’s ceremony lays a solid foundation for the continued development of sports in our country,” he stated.

Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima congratulated the new NSA executive director and assured him of the ministry’s full support. She described the ceremony as a special moment for sports and thanked Abdulai for his comprehensive handover notes.

“No position is permanent, and as leaders we must administer with patience and humility. The NSA was born out of the ministry, so we cannot be at odds with our own agency. We are one sector, and I appeal for continued collaboration for the development of sports,” she said. “The new executive director spoke eloquently, and I commend his commitment to accountability and respect.”

Abdulai’s removal was announced by the Office of the President on April 30, 2026, in an official statement that did not provide detailed reasons for the decision. His appointment as executive director began two years prior, during which he presented a seven-pillar agenda covering transparency, accountability, infrastructure development, capacity building, and the devolution of sports.