(Samajweekly)
May 2024 The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, and Chief Michael Shamshu Mustafa, President of the African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation, held a closed-door meeting with officials from the UNESCO National Commission at their head office located at the NCTVA compound, Tower Hill in Freetown. Also in attendance were Steven Keifala, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sport at the NSA, and Me Mella Jalloh, Program Officer at UNESCO NatCom Sierra Leone.Dr. Mohamed Kamanda, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission, warmly welcomed the delegation. He expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, highlighting UNESCO’s significant focus on sports and ethical practices. Dr. Kamanda emphasized the importance of combating doping, noting it as a major concern for UNESCO. He stressed the necessity of appointing a designated focal person to facilitate timely information sharing between the two institutions.
Dr. Abdulai expressed gratitude to the UNESCO National Commission for accommodating the meeting request from the NSA. He emphasized the Authority’s core objectives, which include sports development, advocacy against banned substances, and the promotion of traditional sports. Dr. Abdulai pointed out that traditional sports align with UNESCO’s mandate on cultural diversity in Sierra Leone and across the African continent.
Dr. Abdulai also highlighted the role of sports in creating opportunities for youth and addressing societal challenges. He emphasized the potential of sports in mitigating various social issues within communities and informed the Commission that Sierra Leone now hosts the African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation Secretariat, signaling the country’s leadership in traditional sports diversity in Africa.
Chief Michael Shamshu Mustafa spoke passionately about the importance of preserving and promoting traditional sports and games. He detailed the African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation’s initiatives to safeguard cultural heritage through sports. Chief Michael emphasized the urgent need to revive and protect traditional sports for future generations, highlighting their role in fostering cultural identity and community cohesion. He shared success stories from various African countries where traditional sports have positively impacted local communities, promoting unity and social harmony.
Chief Michael also discussed plans for upcoming events and programs aimed at raising awareness and participation in traditional sports. He underscored the significance of collaborative efforts with UNESCO and other international bodies to enhance the visibility and acceptance of traditional sports on a global platform.
Steven Keifala, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sport at the NSA, and Me Mella Jalloh, Program Officer at UNESCO NatCom Sierra Leone, also emphasized the importance of traditional sports and games in the modern world. They expressed their commitment to safeguarding traditional sports and games in the African region.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both institutions agreed to collaborate closely in promoting sports development, upholding ethical standards in sports, and celebrating cultural diversity through traditional sports while pursuing their respective mandates.
