ROLE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND SPORTS ASSSOCIATIONS IN FOSTERING PEACE, SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL COHESION-THESIERRA LEONE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

**Background:** There is growing acknowledgement of sport and physical education as a means of fostering peace, social cohesion, and socio-economic development in post-conflict contexts. In Sierra Leone, after decades of conflict, disease, and unstable governance, sport has been one of the only neutral spaces that develops national unity and community resilience. However, much remains under-theorized around the role of Physical Health Education and Sports Association in peace and development. This paper examines the role of Physical Health Education and Sports Associations in promoting peace, socio-economic benefit, and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.

**Method:** In this study, a survey design using a descriptive mixed-method design was used with 218 respondents comprising supportive associations, athletes, sports officials, coaches, community elders, and sports administrators from across the five regions of Sierra Leone. Data was collected by administering questionnaires torespondents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with respondents, while observations were done during peace and cohesion sports tournaments. Quantitative data collected from questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS (Version 27). Qualitaative data was thematically analyzed to explore participants perspectives on peace promotion, socio-economic empowerment and inclusivity.