IBSA Finance Committee Elects Unisa Deen Kargbo As Chairman

By Bockarie Allieu

(232news)

The President of the Sierra Leone National Paralympic Committee, Unisa Deen Kargbo, has been formally elected Chairman of the newly established Finance Committee of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA).

IBSA officially launched the work of its Finance Committee to Friday, February 20, 2026, with the body holding its inaugural meeting this week.

The Committee was created following a recent decision by the IBSA Executive Board to strengthen financial oversight and governance, alongside the approval of its membership.

The first meeting brought together Committee members and representatives of the IBSA Administration, including the Chief Executive Officer and the IBSA Finance Manager.

The session aimed to facilitate a smooth start to cooperation and establish clear working procedures.

The IBSA Finance Committee comprises: Unisa Deen Kargbo (Sierra Leone), Liene Apine (Latvia), Rauan Satzhanov (Kazakhstan) and Carlos Eduardo Ferrari (Brazil). All members serve on a voluntary basis in line with IBSA’s governance framework.

During the meeting, Kargbo was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Committee, while Liene Apine was appointed Deputy Chairman to support coordination and ensure continuity in the Committee’s operations.

The IBSA Administration presented an overview of the Federation’s current financial status, including the approved 2026 budget, which is now under implementation and the ongoing external audit for the 2025 financial year.

Committee members also discussed their operational approach, collaboration mechanisms with the IBSA Administration, and immediate priorities. Key focus areas include familiarizing themselves with IBSA’s financial systems, reviewing existing financial processes, and preparing to examine the findings of the 2025 audit upon its completion.

The establishment and operational launch of the Finance Committee marks a significant milestone in IBSA’s continued efforts to enhance governance standards. The Committee is mandated to provide independent advisory and oversight support to the IBSA Executive Board, strengthening transparency, financial sustainability, and institutional confidence across the Federation.