The Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James Teima, made an important statement at the 2-day retreat organized by the Ministry and the National Sports Authority (NSA) held at Galiness Hotel, Bo.

The event focused on developing a roadmap for achieving the government’s Big Five Game Changers: agriculture, human capital development, youth employment, revamping the public sector, and enhancing teaching and infrastructure.

“Sports is a unique sector because it develops the physical dexterity of the human being,” said Minister James-Teima. “This retreat will help us build a stronger team to deliver for the government. We are here to make a difference and to make all other agencies and institutions work well.”

The Minister stressed the importance of addressing various aspects of sports, including the physical, mental, and emotional elements. “When we work as a team, the sky will surely be our limit,” she added.

A key highlight of the retreat was the improved relationship between the NSA and the Ministry of Sports. “Before, the National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Sports were not seeing eye to eye, but that has changed. Now we are working together to develop sports in Sierra Leone,” Madam Minister noted.

Expressing gratitude to all attendees, she acknowledged their contribution to the retreat’s success. “Your presence has made the retreat a success. We are here to make progress, and this is what we are doing as a government as part of President Bio’s Big Five Changers.”

The retreat included participation from various ministries and units, such as the Ministries of Development and Technical and Higher Education and the Public Sector Reform Unit. Their collaboration aimed to assist the Ministry and NSA in developing sports in Sierra Leone.

At the retreat’s conclusion, the focus will be on reviewing and finalizing eight draft policies that have been pending due to previous disharmony between the MoS and NSA. “If we don’t understand what is in these policies, it would be difficult to administer sports in the country. We also have to look at the National Sports Authority Act,” the Minister of Sports pointed out.

The retreat also aimed to create structures that would extend beyond Freetown, ensuring a more inclusive approach to sports development across Sierra Leone.