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The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, and his dedicated team visited the Chinese Embassy in Freetown on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
The primary goal of this visit was to seek further support from the Chinese government, a long-standing ally in Sierra Leone’s sports infrastructure growth.
During the meeting, Dr. Abdulai expressed gratitude for the Chinese government’s enduring support, which dates back to 1979 with the completion of the National Stadium. “The Chinese are major partners for sports infrastructural development in Sierra Leone,” he stated. “They have always supported us whenever the need arises, and the ongoing National Stadium Rehabilitation Project, which costs a huge amount of money, is their latest intervention. There have been challenges with the Project, but the work is coming to an end.”
Dr. Abdulai emphasized the NSA’s mandate to develop sports nationwide. “To deliver this, the Authority needs a lot of partnerships. China is one reliable partner which the NSA has decided to work with. Five years down the line after the NSA was established, we have devolved sports across the country. What we need now is capacity building for our coaches, administrators, and other technical staff. We also need logistical support, and that is why we have started this conversation,” he added.
Welcoming Dr. Abdulai and his team, Du Zijun, the Commercial Consular at the Chinese Embassy, expressed his delight at the visit. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s sports development. “The Chinese Embassy will facilitate both multi and bilateral trainings, capacity building strides, and other activities for the benefit of the NSA and sports in Sierra Leone,” Du Zijun assured.
The meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership between the NSA and the Chinese government, promising a brighter future for sports in Sierra Leone through enhanced infrastructure, capacity building, and technical support. As the National Stadium Rehabilitation Project nears completion, the collaboration is set to bring new opportunities and growth to Sierra Leonean sports.
