Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The head of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has issued a stark warning about the future of African traditional games. He expressed concern that without decisive action, these cultural treasures could be lost forever.
Abdulai emphasized the importance of preserving and reviving these traditional games, which he believes are emblematic of African heritage. “Africa must rise to the occasion and reignite those games that symbolize the Black man’s heritage,” he stated. “This initiative is about more than just games; it’s about reconnecting with our diverse cultures. I want us to embrace this idea and make it a project that history will remember.”
On August 14, 2024, Sierra Leone made a significant step towards this goal by launching the African Traditional Games and Sports Confederation Secretariat in Freetown. The Secretariat is tasked with providing leadership and direction for traditional games across the continent.
Earlier, in July 2024, Abdulai, alongside Michael Shamsu Mustapha, President of the Confederation, signed documents that granted Namibia the right to host the inaugural African Traditional Games and Sports in 2026. The event’s logo was unveiled during the International Day of Traditional Games and Sports celebrations on August 14, 2024.
Looking ahead, Abdulai is planning a visit to Zimbabwe in September 2024 to discuss the country’s readiness to host the 2028 edition of the African Traditional Games and Sports.
The NSA’s overarching goal is to ensure that the traditional games passed down from previous generations are preserved and promoted for future ones. There is also a concerted effort to include these games in the Olympic structure in the near future.
As part of this initiative, efforts are underway to identify, document, and promote key traditional games unique to Sierra Leone. This endeavour aims to increase sports participation across different sectors of society, bringing together both the educated and uneducated under a common cultural umbrella. By codifying these games, new opportunities will be created for coaches and athletes, contributing to employment generation. In fact, sports currently stand as the largest employer after the civil service in the country. BT/29/8/2024
