The President of the Republic Of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio has Launched the National Sport  Development Fund Account on the 14th December 2021.

In his famous statement, the president pointed out that he is tempted to draw out attention back, to what obtained for eleven years in sports in Sierra Leone before he took the reins of government in 2018.

Football administration was in perennial crisis; the national football league had not been played for five years; and Sierra Leone had not qualified for any major regional or continental championship.

He further stated that the Sporting disciplines of all sorts had virtually disappeared from schools. Physical Education had been eliminated from the school curriculum. There was no clear strategic plan for the involvement and promotion of women and persons with disability in sports. Sierra Leone was not competitive in athletics or any other sporting disciplines.

Facilities – stadiums and community fields — had fallen into rapid disrepair. Evidently, there was a very weak policy, legal, and institutional ecosystem for the survival of sports much less the promotion and development of sports in Sierra Leone.  Since 2018, Sierra Leone has participated in international athletics events in all genres and won gold, silver, and bronze medals he stated.

The President further asserted that the Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was right when he said: “Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sports can awaken hope where there was previously only despair. Sports speaks to people in a language they can understand”.. So, we have reorganised sports in this country and made the necessary legal, policy, and institutional changes to transform sports in this country. We believe we can achieve even more.

The president, therefore,  emphasized that the establishing of the National Sports Development Fund Account with a very clear view to supporting the overall objectives and activities of the National Sports Authority. It will support sports development, technical and coaching development, sports infrastructure development, and overall funding of sports competitions.

The President further cited that the Sports Fund Management Committee will be autonomous body that will make decisions on how funds are used transparently to support sports development and sports activities. There is a need for equal access to quality recreational services, and accessible sport facilities in schools and communities. There is a need for sports to be fully embedded in our human capital development priorities as a nation. It offers additional opportunities for career development that would otherwise not have existed.

He concludes that the Madam First Lady has started off with an enthusiastic fundraiser here this morning. I appeal to the private sector, development partners, and professional bodies to contribute to the building of a united, sustainable, inclusive, healthier, and prosperous future for Sierra Leone through sports.

He formally launch the National Sports Fund Account for Sierra Leone with a token contribution of Ten Billion Leones. He thanked all guest present you for their attention .