By Joseph Momoh, Reporter, Daily Scope
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA), convened with stakeholders from the Bureh Beach surfing community to discuss the promotion of surfing as a viable sport and economic opportunity.
The engagement, held on Friday, April 11, 2025, aimed to lay the groundwork for establishing a National Surfing Federation in Sierra Leone. Taking place at Bureh Beach on the Freetown Peninsula, the event featured a vibrant surfing exhibition organized by the Sierra Leone Surfing Association, drawing community leaders, youth groups, and government officials.
Representing the Honorable Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, Abdul Malik Kamara, Senior Tourism, Travel and Exchange Programme Officer, highlighted 2025 as the “Year of Ecotourism.” He emphasized three core principles during his address: Community, Conservation, and Eco-Consciousness. Kamara asserted, “The Ministry’s commitment to developing sports tourism, particularly surfing, aims to create jobs, boost community businesses, attract international tourists, and preserve the country’s unique coastal ecosystems.”
Kamara also pointed out that surfing could offer sustainable livelihoods while mitigating harmful practices such as unregulated sand mining that threaten the environment. He referenced past events, including the 2024 National Surfing Competition at No.2 Beach and the development of the Bureh Beach Surfing Facility, funded through the World Bank’s SLEDP project.
Highlighting the critical need for collaboration, Kamara stated, “It is crucial for the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Sports, the NSA, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs to work together in building a sustainable and internationally recognized Surfing Federation in Sierra Leone.”
On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, Director Haroun Korjie expressed his regrets for the Minister’s absence and conveyed enthusiasm for integrating surfing into the national sports framework. He stressed the importance of forming a structured governing body with professional expertise to achieve international recognition and instructed the Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports to expedite the federation’s establishment.
The gathering’s host, the Vice President of the Sierra Leone Surfers Association, expressed gratitude for the government’s support. Reflecting on the community’s journey, he remarked, “We were once called ‘sufferers,’ but with this timely intervention, the Surfing Federation will not only legitimize our passion but also end the suffering of surfers across the country.”
The event also showcased a stunning ocean surfing display led by female surfer Kadiatu Bangura, underscoring the growing inclusivity and talent within the sport. The day’s activities concluded with a guided tour of the new surfing facility at Bureh Beach, marking a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s efforts toward ecotourism and sports development.
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