By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
FIFA has congratulated Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara on his election as First Vice President of the West Africa Football Union Zone A (WAFU A), describing the appointment as a “well-deserved recognition” of his experience and contribution to regional football.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström expressed the world football governing body’s confidence in Kamara in a letter dated 7 September 2026, saying his experience, judgment and commitment to football would be valuable to WAFU A in his new capacity.
Kamara was elected on 6 September during the 15th WAFU A Elective General Assembly held at the African Princess Beach Hotel in Banjul, The Gambia.
The election also saw Cape Verdean Football Federation President Mário Semedo elected as the new WAFU A President, succeeding Gambia’s Lamin Kaba Bajo. Mali’s Mahazou Baba Cisset was elected as the other Vice President.
In his message, Grafström noted that WAFU A continues to make significant progress both on and off the pitch, stressing that strong and experienced leadership would be critical to sustaining the zone’s development.
He further reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to working closely with Kamara and other football stakeholders to advance the development of the game across West Africa.
Kamara attended the elective congress alongside SLFA General Secretary Ing. Mohamed Benson Bawoh. Sierra Leone was also represented by Angela Constance Gabbidon, Secretary of the SLFA Women’s League Board and a member of the WAFU A Disciplinary Committee.
The SLFA has described Kamara’s election as a significant milestone for Sierra Leone’s position within regional football administration.
According to the Association, the election demonstrates the confidence placed in Kamara’s leadership and his contribution to football development in the sub-region.
Kamara, a businessman and football philanthropist, was elected President of the Sierra Leone Football Association in August 2025. His election to a key regional football leadership position just over a year later marks a notable rise in his influence within West African football governance.
WAFU A is made up of nine member associations: Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
His new role is expected to provide Sierra Leone with an additional platform to contribute to regional football development, strengthen cooperation among member associations and promote the country’s interests within the West African football community.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 9th September 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
