Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is leveraging the power of sports to engage and transform young lives, amplifying the national emergency on drug abuse across Sierra Leone.
Starting in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone, his grassroots “catch them young” initiative has now extended to Makeni in the North. At the opening ceremony of an eight-team U-15 football tournament organized in his honor as Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dr. Abdulai urged players, officials, and spectators to steer clear of synthetic drugs like Kush and other harmful substances.
Dr. Abdulai emphasized that bringing President Bio’s national emergency on drug abuse, declared in April 2024, to local communities is a crucial responsibility for public officials. “President Bio, who appointed me, believes in the potential of young people and the value of sports,” he said. “At NSA, our role is to use this platform to spread awareness about drug abuse and work to eliminate this threat from our society.”
Dr. Abdulai’s efforts to tackle drug abuse among the youth are a vital move toward preventing a repeat of past struggles. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2004 report identified drug abuse as a significant contributor to the eleven-year civil war in Sierra Leone, highlighting how many youths moved from marijuana to harder drugs, including cocaine and heroin.
Inspired by the young athletes’ performances, Dr. Abdulai assured that the NSA would continue to support sports associations to help young talent develop and achieve success on an international
scale.
