National Sports Authority

NSA CONGRATULATES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON INTERNATIONAL APPOINTMENT

The Board, Management and Staff of the National Sports Authority (NSA) warmly congratulate the Executive Director, Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq., on his appointment by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Mr. Conteh has been appointed as CAF Match Commissioner for two key fixtures:

AFCON Qualifier 2027:
Cape Verde vs Rwanda

CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Qualification:
Shooting Stars SC of Nigeria vs CS Sfaxien of Tunisia

This prestigious appointment by the continental football body is a testament to Mr. Conteh’s trust, integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the development of football both at home and on the continental stage.

The Authority further wishes to congratulate Mr. Prince Kai Saquee, SLFA 2 Vice President and Alhaji Sanusi Rasheed on their appointment by CAF to serve as March Commissioner and Referee Assessor respectively.

The NSA is proud of this achievement and believes it reflects positively on Sierra Leone’s growing reputation in sports administration.

We wish the team success as they represents Sierra Leone with excellence.

NSA RECEIVES VOLLEYBALL GOLD MEDALISTS, CONGRATULATES FEDERATION ON BEHALF OF THE SECTOR ON TRIUMPHANT WIN

The Executive Director of the National Sports Authority Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, Esq., together with his team on Friday 21st August 2026 received Sulaiman Bangura, a First Year Milton Margai Student and Alie Kainesie, a Second Year Njala University student of the Sierra Leone Beach Volleyball Federation on behalf of *His Excellency Retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the sports sector and the People of Sierra Leone.*

The duo recently won gold in the African Beach Volleyball Development Cup in Senegal, defeating Ghana two sets to zero.

*"Congratulations on behalf of the sector lead Madam Augusta James-Teima, you have made the nation proud. I must commend the leadership of the Federation for its coordination and strategic guidance," Mr. Conteh said during the reception.*

The Executive Director commended the athletes for balancing their academic work with sports and for the steady progress they have made over the years. Mr. Conteh encouraged the athletes to intensify their training, remain focused, and defend their title at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal later this year. He assured the Federation of President Bio's Government continued support for all performing sports in the country.

Deputy Executive Director Dr. Abdulai Rahman Swaray expressed similar sentiments and congratulated the athletes.

Earlier, Ahmed Kanu, National President of the Federation, presented the two Gold Medalists to the NSA, and gave a brief background on the pair’s journey over the years, describing them as currently the best youth pairs in the sub-region. Mr. Ahmed Kanu informed the Authority about the Federation's ongoing effort to have a standard beach volleyball centre in Bo City which will serve as the hub for those interested in the game in the Southern Region.

"He said: "the aim of the Federation is to camp the two players ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,".

The meeting was cordinated by Steven Keifala, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports at the NSA.

NSA CONGRATULATES SIERRA LEONE’S U19 BEACH VOLLEYBALL TEAM

The Board, Management and Staff of the National Sports Authority congratulates Sierra Leone’s Under-19 male beach volleyball pair, *Sulaiman Bangura and Alie Kainesie, for winning GOLD* at the second CAVB Youth Development Cup finals against Ghana in Senegal on Thursday evening.

This achievement marks another significant milestone for the pair, who have been playing together since 2023 and have consistently finished on the podium at competitions across the sub-region.

The CAVB Youth Development Cup is an IOC/FIVB-supported initiative designed to provide African teams qualified for the Youth Olympic Games with high-level competitive preparation ahead of Dakar 2026.

The NSA celebrates this victory as a testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of our young athletes. We remain committed to supporting their journey to the Youth Olympic Games and beyond.

Congratulations Sulaiman and Alie! You have made the nation proud.

The future of Salone volleyball is bright!

USG CEO/FOUNDER AND NSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

USG/NSA COLLABORATION

NSA ENGAGES ULTIMATE SPORTS GROUP (USG) FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The National Sports Authority (NSA) held a successful engagement with the Ultimate Sports Group (USG) in London, aimed at initiating a strategic partnership for the development of sports in Sierra Leone.

The meeting, held at the Silver Jubilee Park in London featured a 35-minute PowerPoint inspirational presentation by Uthman Odutayo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of USG. During the presentation, Mr. Odutayo outlined the history, objectives, and achievements of USG, which he said provides elite support across national men’s and women's football teams as well as in basketball and athletics.

“USG caters for all categories of national men’s football teams. We have everything it takes to positively impact, and we bring together the best sports experts in football, basketball and athletics among others. USG offers the best at anything,” he stated.

Mr. Odutayo also highlighted available scholarship opportunities in the UK and the United States for sports administrators, technical people and athletes.

NSA Executive Director, Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, appreciated the USG team.

“This engagement has given NSA vital information on coaching abilities, player technical/skills development, pre-season tours, educational programs, and events management among other things. As NSA Executive Director, I am committed to exploring every available opportunity leading to the development of sports in Sierra Leone. I want to leave an everlasting legacy in sports when I leave the NSA,” Mr. Conteh added.

Director of Corporate Operations, Alie Sesay, who facilitated the meeting, also thanked USG for their hospitality and noted the opportunity Sierra Leone’s athletes and technical team will stand ready to benefit from USG.

IN LONDON, MOS/NSA ENGAGE CHARTERED INSTITUTE FOR MANAGEMENT OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (CIMSPA)

The MOS and NSA continued their sideline engagements after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Under the leadership of the Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq., Director Mustapha Haroune Korjie and Director Steven Keifala engaged top management of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity at the Loughborough University campus.

CIMSPA is the UK's professional body and workforce regulator for sports, physical activity, fitness and coaching that sets workforce standards, recognise training providers, quality assurance qualifications, maintains sector standards and advises the UK government on workforce policy.

During the meeting, key discussion on policy insights including:
●Workforce development
●Prioritize coaching, teacher and workforce development ●Create national coaching and workforce standards
●Develop pathways for continuous professional development, were among other critical areas thoroughly discussed.

Further discussions at the meeting align with NSA concerns on inconsistency in sport curricula content and teaching, sport facility management, social Inclusion, safeguarding and inclusive national coaching standards. At the end of the engagement, recommendations and opportunities including but not limited to:Short-Term (2026-2027),
Medium-Term (2027-2028) and
Long-Term (2028) roadmap were identified.

In another development, a separate meeting was held same day at the Loughborough University campus with the UNESCO Co-Lead Chair in Sport, Richard Guilianotti. He agreed to later inform the NSA through Sierra Leone UNESCO'S office on the possibility of providing support to ensure physical activity and education in schools for physical, personal and social development of young people across Sierra Leone.

The meeting was attended by Jack - SDP Consultant for Sierra Leone, Spencer Moore, Deputy CEO of CIMSPA, Dr. Oliver Hooper, Lecturer Physical Education and Youth Sport, and Professor Richard Gullianotti, Co-Lead Chair UNESCO in Sports.

CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB & NSA TO FORGE PARTNERSHIP

Celtic Football Club is an elite club based in Scotland that runs an International Partner Club Programs across multiple continents, focusing on player development, team training, and coach education. It collaborates globally with partner schools and youth clubs as in the recent partnerships in Pakistan and North America—offering elite coaching, team tours to Glasgow, and specialized coach mentorship.

Aside the Commonwealth Games, the NSA leadership engaged the Celtic Football Club to forge a partnership agreement between the two institutions. During the meeting, discussions forced on:

*International Club Partner Programme* Celtic to connects dozens of Sierra Leone’s youth coaching methodologies and coaching curriculum development through the NSA.

*Advanced Player/Elite Programmes*
Celtic FC to deliver intensive training camps, often featuring tactical, technical, and classroom/video analysis sessions from Sierra Leone with opportunities for standout youth players to win trips to train and gain gain more experience at the Celtic FC academy.

*Team Tour Experiences:*
The NSA to facilitate international youth teams to Glasgow for behind-the-scenes tours of Celtic Park, matches against local opposition, and sessions at club facilities.

*Coach Education*: The two institutions share technical and operational insights to support community growth abroad, with Sierra Leone standing as the greatest beneficiary.

The NSA Boss said that as regulator supervised by the Ministry of Sports, the NSA will report the outcome of the meeting back home to the Minister of Sports for collective decision with the leadership of the Sierra Leone Football Association as the implementing partners for the agreement.

Mohamed Alphaka Conteh NSA Chief expressed appreciation to Celtic FC officials for the meeting, describing the engagement as good initiative that will benefit Sierra Leone’s young footballers and technical team members. "This agreement when finalised will be a good international partnership for sports development in the history of the country’s football economy," Conteh said.

Jose Romero, International Soccer Academy Manager said:
"We are ready to fully work with the National Sports Authority in Sierra Leone for the development of sports in the West African nation,".

*TEAM SIERRA LEONE CLOSES GLASGOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES WITH PRIDE AND DETERMINATION*

*Glasgow, Scotland*

*By: Sahr Morris Jr.* *Press Attachee and*
*Eric Batilo J. Fomba*

Team Sierra Leone joined the other 74 Commonwealth Nations and Territories at the official Closing Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games held at the OVO Hydro Complex on Sunday evening, 2nd August 2026.

All the athletes and officials represented the nation with vision, pride, courage, hope and determination. Their participation sets the foundation as Sierra Leone begins preparations for the 100th Commonwealth Games in 2030 in India.

Team Sierra Leone competed in 5 out of 10 sports at the Games, with Swimming, Boxing and Track Cycling as the best performing sports.

While no medals were won, Team SLE athletes delivered historic performances and recorded both national and personal bests:

In swimming, Halle Harris made her Commonwealth debutant with a spectacular performance in the 50m Freestyle, and finished 18 out out of 66 athletes. Halle was Team SLE’S top performing athletes in the Games.

Women’s 60kg boxing, medallist hopeful Josefien Betist was denied as the judges split decisions favours her British counterpart to the surprise of all spectators. She fought with resilience, energy and pride and the nation is proud of her performance.

Jordan Aki-Sawyerr made his debut at Commonwealth Games in Men’s Triple Jump and recorded his personal bests.

Track Cycling, Ibrahim S. Jalloh and Mustapha Koroma made Sierra Leone’s debut in Track Cycling, with Jalloh posting the top African time in the 4000m Individual Pursuit.

Swimming, Boxing and Track Cycling, our athletes gained valuable international experience against theirntop Commonwealth counterparts.

The Ministry of Sports under the leadership of Hon. Minister Augusta James-Teima, the National Sports Authority led by Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq. and the National Olympic Committee/Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone led by President Prince Vandy Sualley, expressed deepest appreciation to all athletes and officials for their commitment, discipline and patriotism.

They further extended appreciation to His Excellency President Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the People of Sierra Leone for their financial, moral and physical support, and for believing in Team Sierra Leone at all times.