By: Tommy Sidikie
Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s National Sports Authority (NSA), appealed to UNESCO to support the promotion of African traditional games and sports on Tuesday, 17th September 2024. During a meeting with Abdulrahman Lamin, head of UNESCO’s Southern Regional Office in Harare, Zimbabwe, Dr. Abdulai highlighted Sierra Leone’s leadership role as host of the Africa Secretariat for Traditional Games.
He announced Zimbabwe’s successful bid to host the 2028 African Traditional Games and urged UNESCO to back Zimbabwe’s Traditional Games and Sports Commission. Dr. Abdulai emphasized the importance of preserving African cultural heritage through sports.
Chief Michael Mustapha, President of the African Traditional Games and Sports Federation, noted efforts to codify traditional games, supported by UNESCO. Universities like Cape Town and Makerere are developing master’s programs to study these cultural activities scientifically.
Lamin praised Sierra Leone’s leadership and pledged UNESCO’s support, while Zimbabwe’s sports commission leader, Lizzie Mupure, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts to preserve Africa’s cultural identity through traditional games.
The NSA, mandated by Parliament to oversee sports development in Sierra Leone, continues to advocate for international recognition and support for African sports.
