New NSA Executive Director Pledges Sports Professionalism and Accountability

New NSA Executive Director Pledges Sports Professionalism and Accountability

Barrister Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, the new Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), officially assumed office at the NSA headquarters in Freetown, pledging to promote professionalism, accountability, and unity within Sierra Leone’s sports sector. The ceremony formalized the leadership transition from outgoing Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai.

Barrister Conteh stated that his appointment includes a clear mandate from President Julius Maada Bio to restore decorum and strengthen collaboration among sporting institutions and stakeholders. He emphasized the need for teamwork to fulfill this mandate. Barrister Conteh thanked President Bio for the confidence shown in his appointment and acknowledged Dr. Abdulai's work in laying a solid administrative foundation for the NSA. He noted the sector's importance, stating that sports unites people and inspires discipline, teamwork, and national pride.

Barrister Conteh outlined his vision, which prioritizes transparency, professionalism, inclusiveness, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and enhanced opportunities for athletes. He committed to promoting excellence and working to improve sporting infrastructure and elevate Sierra Leone's presence regionally and globally. He stressed that progress requires unity, innovation, accountability, and sustained partnerships, concluding that his commitment is to open dialogue and collaborations that advance sports and national development.

In his farewell remarks, outgoing Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai congratulated Barrister Conteh and pledged support for a smooth transition. He noted that his tenure faced significant challenges but resulted in important achievements. Dr. Abdulai cited accomplishments including the drafting of key sports regulatory frameworks, improvements in staff welfare and administrative systems, enhanced transparency measures, institutional recruitment and promotions, increased support for sporting competitions, and progress in infrastructure development.

NSA Board Chairman Ibrahim Nyelenkeh described the event as historic, emphasizing that the transition reflects continuity and unity within the sports sector, and lays a solid foundation for continued development.

Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima congratulated the new Executive Director, assuring him of the Ministry’s full cooperation and support. She called for patience, humility, and collaboration among all stakeholders. The Minister stressed the need for leaders to administer with patience and humility, emphasizing that the NSA and the Ministry are "one sector" that requires continued collaboration for sports development. 

She commended Barrister Conteh's focus on accountability and professionalism, calling his speech encouraging for the future of sports governance. The transition occurs amid high expectations for transparency, athlete development, infrastructure expansion, and institutional reforms. 

The new administration will be closely monitored as it seeks to rebuild confidence, strengthen governance, and reposition sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment and national unity.