The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Sports, led by its chairman Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Ngvao Esq, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai at his 22 Signal Hill Road Office on Monday, 19th August, 2024.

The encounter marked the first time both sides have met since Dr. Abdulai assumed the NSA leadership some four months ago.

According to Chairman Ngvao, the visit was part of the Committee’s oversight functions, tasked with the responsibility to ask questions on financial and administrative management affairs, the idea being to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Chairman said the Committee has the responsibility to vet financial expenditures for the fiscal year and also to lobby the Appropriation Committee to be able to approve budgets proposed by the NSA.

At the meeting, Dr. Abdulai said he is committed to working with the Oversight Committee, emphasizing the importance of involving everyone for a collective delivery.

“The new NSA is taking the robust steps to create opportunities for everyone. We want to ensure that more resources go into sports development because it will yield huge economic and political benefits.

“On the weekend, we were in Bo for the CAF competitions where all hotels were booked and food sold out. People from different tribes and political parties were there, fully supporting either Bo Rangers or Lions,” he told the Committee.

On the basis of performance, Dr. Abdulai added that the NSA has rolled out 15% of its Act in less than four months. “We have drafted four regulations to help sports grow,” he said, encouraging the Committee to support the Authority as the new budget will provide huge opportunities for thousands of youths.

Dr Abdulai revealed that he will be travelling to Denmark to seek support to help Sierra Leone with artificial turf that can be installed in class A chiefdoms.

He urged all to put aside politics as the investment will create opportunities for young people.

Speaking, Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jalloh, a member of the Committee, said sports can be used as an instrument for change, which can significantly contribute to President Bio’s Five Big Game-changers.

Adding her voice, Hon. Massey Aruna, another member, said she is happy that Dr. Abdulai mentioned the artificial turf idea and prayed for its achievement. She raised concerns over the Bo Stadium, which is currently not in use. She appealed for its renovation.

The National Sports Authority is an agency of Government established by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to promote, encourage, develop, and supervise all sports and sporting activities in Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.