A secretariat for African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation was opened in Freetown on Wednesday ahead of preparations for the 2026 games in Namibia.
Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, executive director of Sierra Leone’s National Sports Authority (NSA), underscored the importance of preserving African traditional games and sports as part of the continent’s heritage. He said the games would help to preserve the African culture and foster cohesion through shared values.
“These traditional games represent the diverse and rich cultures of Africa and have the potential to unite the continent,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Michael Shamsu Mustapha, president of the African Traditional Sports and Games Confederation, highlighted the benefits of hosting the Games’ headquarters in Sierra Leone. He mentioned the potential for employment creation and the opportunity to host future games, which could attract tourism and promote social interaction.
Mustapha emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure that these traditional games are passed on to future generations. He proposed incorporating them into the school Physical and Health Education (PHE) curriculum as one way to document and promote them.
To sustain the secretariat’s function, Mustapha disclosed the commitment of Gabon and other governments to provide financial support. He expressed his dedication to making his eight-year term meaningful.
Dr. Saffa Abdulai described the launch as a significant milestone for Africa. He announced that the NSA would send its staff members to Namibia six months before the first edition of the Games to oversee preparations.
