By Emma Black
SLFA President Mr Babadi Kamara
Since assuming office as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) in August 2025, Babadi Kamara has set in motion a bold transformation of the nation’s football landscape. With renewed momentum, strategic clarity, and a deep commitment to development, his leadership is reshaping how the game is played, governed, and experienced across the country.
From his first days in office, President Kamara signaled a clear departure from the status quo. His administration has focused on growth with purpose prioritizing strong institutions, inclusive decision-making, and practical investments that touch every layer of the sport.
At the heart of Babadi Kamara’s presidency is a simple but powerful conviction: football must serve the people. He has consistently emphasized the game’s role in fostering national unity, empowering young people, and strengthening communities. This philosophy has guided sweeping reforms aimed at transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the SLFA laying the foundation for long-term progress.
One of the defining features of President Kamara’s tenure has been his hands-on approach to development. Under his leadership, the SLFA has rolled out initiatives that reinforce football at both grassroots and elite levels.
A major highlight was the launch of the $95,000 rehabilitation of Wusum Field in Makeni, personally inaugurated by the President. The project is designed to provide safer, modern playing facilities while revitalizing football activity within the local community.
Refereeing standards have also received renewed attention, with nationwide training programs introduced to improve consistency, professionalism, and confidence in match officiating.
In a landmark move for sports integrity, President Kamara oversaw the signing of the first-ever Anti-Doping Memorandum of Understanding between the SLFA and the National Olympic Committee firmly committing Sierra Leone football to clean and fair competition.
Beyond domestic reforms, President Kamara has worked diligently to strengthen Sierra Leone’s presence in global football circles. His engagements with FIFA officials in Morocco and representation at the CAF Awards have helped reposition the country as a serious and forward-looking football nation, while also creating pathways for future technical and developmental partnerships.
President Kamara’s impact is also evident at club level. His donation of modern stadium equipment to East End Lions FC underscores his belief that clubs thrive when supported with the right tools and infrastructure.
Equally significant has been his success in attracting sponsorship and commercial backing for national competitions. The securing of major sponsorship deals has injected new confidence into the local leagues, easing financial pressures and improving overall competitiveness.
What truly distinguishes Babadi Kamara’s leadership is his unwavering faith in football as a force that unites rather than divides. His presidency continues to inspire optimism creating opportunities for young players, strengthening institutions, and charting a hopeful path forward for the sport.
Today, the SLFA is not merely administering football it is actively transforming it.
Babadi Kamara’s tenure marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sierra Leone football, one defined by vision, integrity, and renewed belief in the power of the beautiful game.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
