The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA), on Friday 19th July 2024, engaged officials from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and the Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education (MBSSE) to forge a new path towards the promotion of collegiate sports.
The meeting, held at the Conference Room of MTHE’s New England Ville headquarters, aimed at bridging the gap between the sports sector and education through collaboration.
Addressing attendees at the meeting, Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima said sport can achieve only a little without the invaluable backing of the education sector.
“Your ministries have a lot for sports, and we cannot assume unless we collaborate. We are here to initiate discussions on a framework that the NSA has developed for school and university sports. We will look at this framework that guides our separate miniseries,” she said.
NSA’s Director of Participation and Sustainable Development Steven Keifala pointed out the challenges they are facing in enticing athletes from learning institutions to represent the country in international sports competitions. “Most of the athletes we have come from communities, and it is often difficult to deal with them when it comes to disciplinary actions,” he said.
To overcome this challenge, Director Keifala said the NSA along with the Ministry of Sports has developed a framework on how school and university sports should be rolled out.
Responding, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Alphajor Aziz Kamara commended the MOS and the NSA for developing such a framework, which his Ministry will present to the university authorities for implementation.
However, he relayed challenges with infrastructure and other concerns relevant to the rolling out of the Scheme.
The Minister of Basic and Senior School Education, Conrad Sackey, welcomed the initiative and pledged his ministry’s fullest commitment to working with the MOS and the NSA.
“My ministry has a sector plan. Part 4 of that plan is about creating opportunities for the kids to do sports, through which their characters and other behavioral attitudes like honesty, integrity, and emotions, among others, will be enhanced,” he remarked.
The meeting was moderated by Mustapha H. Korjie, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sports.