A delegation from Sierra Leone, led by Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), and Chief Michael Shamsu Mustapha, President of the African Traditional Games and Sports Federation, has officially given Zimbabwe the green light to host the second edition of the African Traditional Games and Sports in 2028.
On Thursday, 12th September 2024, at the Tower Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe, President Mustapha joined Zimbabwe’s Traditional Games and Sports Commission, represented by Lizzie Mupure, to sign the formal bid agreement.
Elta Nengomasha, Director General of the Zimbabwe Sports and Recreation Commission, expressed her government’s full support for the event. She emphasised the significance of preserving traditional African games, many of which, she said, are at risk of being lost.
“These games do not only preserve our heritage but also strengthen diplomatic ties between African nations,” Madam Nengomasha noted, paying tribute to the delegation and applauding Sierra Leone’s leadership in promoting traditional games, acknowledging their potential to foster unity across the continent.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, NSA’s Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai affirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to championing traditional African sports.
“This is a proud moment for us, as Sierra Leone continues to play a central role in preserving and promoting African sporting traditions. Promoting these games is part of our government’s broader push for continental unity and reforms, including our role at the United Nations level,” he said.
On the loose ends, the NSA Chief highlighted the disconnect between many modern sports and African culture, reflecting on the recent Olympic Games in Paris. He praised the collaboration between Namibia and Zimbabwe in hosting the first two editions of the African Traditional Games, calling it a milestone in celebrating Africa’s diverse sporting heritage.
Chief Michael Mustapha provided a historical overview of African traditional games, noting that 40 countries have expressed commitment to participate in the tournaments and that the African Union has also recognised them as a key pillar.
He went on to say that UNESCO has already developed a framework that would guide the identification and listing of common games across Africa, and revealed that Lizzie Mupure, President of Zimbabwe’s Traditional Games and Sports Association, has been elected the 2nd Vice President of the African Federation. He recalled that UNESCO’s initial meeting in Turkey led to the birth of the initiative and that Africa had since taken global leadership in promoting traditional games and sports.
The National Sports Authority is an agency of the Government established by an Act of Parliament with the mandate to promote, encourage, develop, and supervise all sports and sporting activities in Sierra Leone, and to provide for other related matters.
