In a bid to re-structure all sporting disciplines in the country, the National Sport Authority (NSA), has on Monday September 14th, 2020 in a one-day dialogue met with sporting disciplines on registration criteria at the Atlantic Hall in Freetown.
The Director of Programs National Sport Authority (NSA), Steven Kelfala, said that they have observed that some people serve in two or more associations as executive members. He cited an instance of an individual who serves in the capacity of President for three associations and Secretary for another. “Another person is serving as President for two associations; while another person serves as President for association and adviser for another association.”
He informed all intending members that out of forty-nine (49) membership forms which had been sold by the Authority to various sporting disciplines just thirty-eight had been filled and handed back to the National Sport Authority.
He further stated that the NSA have received a complaint from one association who had bought a membership form, but could not fill it because their former President could not give them any document to help complete the form.
He added that Sierra Leone is a sporting nation, and as a result a lot of new associations have emerged e.g. Life Saving Society, Teqball, Qatch, Thiathon, Bone-to Bone and Rugby League.
He said that the NSA initially set twenty-one criteria to accept for induction as Associations recognized by the National Sports Authority, but considering complaints which various sporting associations put forward saying that the conditions were extremely difficult to meet the criteria were reviewed and brought down to eleven.
“We don’t want an association to be owned by individual, we want accountability; Even if you take somebody as a staff, should have his/her right and this is what Corporate Affairs Commission is looking for, so we are encouraging every sporting disciplines to go through the registration,” he advised.
In his keynote address the National Sport Authority Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Brima, stated that he had noted all the concerns bordering on the documentations which must be completed before their disciplines are registered with the NSA. He said that the reorganization of sporting associations in Sierra Leone will enable athletes to not only participate in world sport but to bring medals.
By Desmond Tunde Coker
17/09/2020. ISSUE NO: 7911