By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The newly elected President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, is set to represent Sierra Leone at the 47th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), scheduled for October 6 in Kinshasa- Democratic Republic of Congo, marking Sierra Leone’s renewed presence at the continental football governance table under a revitalized leadership mandate.
Kamara’s participation in the high-profile assembly will be his first official international duty as SLFA President. The CAF General Assembly is a key gathering that unites leaders of African football federations and senior CAF executives to deliberate on the continent’s football development, financial governance, tournament planning, and key policy reforms.
Babadi Kamara secured a resounding victory during the SLFA Elective Congress on August 2 in Lungi, ushering in a new era for football administration in the country. He won overwhelmingly with over 43 delegate votes, significantly ahead of his closest challenger Aminata Bangura, who garnered 11 votes, while Mr. Bah received just one. The peaceful and transparent election was widely praised by observers, who cited it as a sign of growing institutional maturity within Sierra Leone’s football governance structures.
Kamara takes over from outgoing President Thomas Daddy Brima, under whose leadership the country saw noticeable improvements in football infrastructure. However, Kamara’s election signals a fresh vision for the sport’s development, anchored on modernization, commercialization of the local game, and a firm commitment to grassroots empowerment.
His rich background in football management positions him as a transformative figure in Sierra Leonean football. As Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC and Chief Executive Officer of the state-of-the-art Southern Arena in Bo, Kamara has demonstrated the ability to blend business acumen with sporting ambition. These experiences provide a strong foundation for his new national role, and expectations are high that he will translate his club-level success into sustainable reforms at the national level.
Kamara’s four-year term, which runs until 2029, is expected to focus on several key priorities. These include strengthening domestic leagues, expanding youth academies, enhancing transparency and accountability in football governance, and deepening partnerships with international football bodies such as CAF and FIFA.
In particular, the new SLFA leadership is aiming to make local leagues more competitive and commercially viable. There are also plans to invest in structured youth development programs, recognizing the critical importance of nurturing talent from a young age to build a stronger national team pipeline.
The upcoming CAF General Assembly will be a critical platform for Kamara to engage with fellow federation heads and contribute Sierra Leone’s voice to important continental discussions. It also offers opportunities to forge strategic alliances and attract technical and financial support for Sierra Leone’s footballing ambitions.
Observers believe that Kamara’s participation in the Kinshasa assembly sends a clear message that Sierra Leone is ready to reassert itself in continental football affairs with renewed energy and purpose.
With Babadi Kamara at the helm, the SLFA appears poised for a transformative period characterized by strategic leadership, youth engagement, and infrastructural growth.
His administration’s performance over the next four years will be closely watched, not only by local football stakeholders but also by the broader African football community.
