BY NSA Media
The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) on Thursday, 1st October 2026, presented their Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) Budget to the Ministry of Finance at the Civic Centre Hall, Freetown.
In his opening statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Patrick Sama, made a strong case for an increased budgetary allocation for the sports sector. He emphasized that effective performance of MDAs is dependent on timely budget allocation and disbursement. “Performance of MDAs starts with budget allocation and disbursement to enhance their activities. The sports sector is pivotal to youth empowerment, job creation, and national cohesion, and therefore requires adequate funding to implement planned activities across the country,” Mr. Sama stated.
Presenting the NSA’s budget proposal, the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority, Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq., expressed profound appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for its continued support to the development of all sporting disciplines in the country.
Mr. Conteh highlighted key priority areas for FY2027, including decentralization of sports development, job creation through sports, support to national teams, maintenance and rehabilitation of national sporting facilities, promotion of school and community sports, capacity building, and Sierra Leone’s participation in international competitions. He further assured the Ministry of Finance of the sector’s commitment to ensuring prudent, transparent, and accountable utilization of allocated resources for the achievement of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio’s ‘’Big Five Game Changers’’, particularly youth employment and national development through sports.
Civil society representatives and Non-state Actors appreciated the sector for their presentation and called on the Ministry of Finance to increase the budget allocation for the sports sector as an expensive industry
Responding on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, the Chairman of the Budget Hearing Session, Mr. Ibrahim Burah, commended the Sports Sector for its detailed and well-themed presentation focusing on decentralisation and employment. He called on the sector to formulate regulations that will discourage violence and unsporting behavior among spectators during sporting competitions.
“Sports is not a do-or-die affair, it is about entertainment and unity,” Mr. Burah emphasized. He praised the NSA for its clear theme that aligns with government’s drive for decentralisation and job creation.
