By Isaac Swen

We hold no brief for anyone we might name in this article. However as Sierra Leoneans and as football-loving fans that want to see the growth of football in Sierra Leone, like what we see happening around our sister countries in West Africa and the world at large, we want to toe the line of football analysts, football fans, footballers and stakeholders wishing for progressive progress and sanity in the Sierra Leone football fraternity.

It is no hidden secret that management of football in Sierra Leone spearheaded by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has seen the good, bad and ugly sides of not only football fans, footballers and football stakeholders, but also that of those entrusted with leadership of the SLFA.

During the era of Tholla Thompson as President of the FA, he can easily be remembered for his remarkable contributions to improving football in Sierra Leone. No one can deny the fact that it was during the days of Tholla Thompson that we saw advocacy for football academies in Sierra Leone sprouting. Tholla Thompson would go to the extreme, length and breadth of the country and the world at large to lobby and encourage sponsors both local and international to invest in football academies as the way best forward for the grooming of our young footballers. He is accredited for being the first SLFA President who saw the wisdom in grooming young football talents which the likes of Senegal is enjoying today, because they saw the importance and relevance of grooming young football talents and creating football academies.

Another formidable and notable FA President is the late Nahim Kadi of blessed memory. It is no gainsaying that Nahim Kadi’s tenure from his first to his last term was full of controversies within the football family. But being the dynamic and down-to-earth leader that he was at the time, he succeeded at settling differences, bonding antagonists, removing acrimony and establishing peace and cohesion within the football family. Though several football stakeholders raised issues with him, Nahim Kadi in his wisdom used his mettle and leadership style to overcome all these setbacks which culminated to him being described as the lesser of two evils during an FA election he almost lost. It was due to his leadership style which many football stakeholders had come to love and appreciate that kept him in office until he was no longer qualified to contest according to the FA Constitution. He died a satisfied man who was honored for his fatherly role in administering football in Sierra Leone.

Fast forward to Isha Johansen – Sierra Leone’s first female to head such a contentious organization, her days too where marked with numerous controversies, back-stabbings and even an alleged violent confrontation between herself and one of Sierra Leone’s most coveted and acknowledged footballer Mohamed Kallon.

Put simply, Isha Johansen’s days were numbered because it was like anything she said or did was countered and it reached a point when she had little or no control over the affairs of the FA.

Be that as it may, her administration handed over to the current FA President Thomas Daddy Brima. It is not unreasonable to state that, since Thomas Daddy Brima assumed the seat of SLFA President he has been very busy spending his time bringing together a divided and unified football family. So far, according to football fans, stakeholders and footballers, his efforts have brought about great dividend for Sierra Leone’s football fraternity.

Football stakeholders and other interested parties attribute this to his God-given leadership style because according to them, Thomas Daddy Brima is a down-to-earth grassroots leader who despises no one, but respects all.

Another feather to Thomas Daddy Brima’s cap is the fact that, when he assumed office he met a broken, shaken, bitter and divided group of football veterans. But with his persuasive skills and respectful discourse with these football veterans, they are now acclaiming him for bringing respect, confidence and unity to prevail among them which is a plus for development of football in the country.

Current efforts of Thomas Daddy Brima to lay artificial turfs in all football fields across the country, is simply laudable. Such is the trend football fans, stakeholders and actual footballers want to continue seeing in Sierra Leone football.

While all of this is going on, there is word circulating about a new contender – Babadi Kamara for the FA seat.

Of course, everyone has the right to contest for any position as long as that person is qualified enough and passes the litmus test set by the authorities before being nominated to contest for that position.

As stated earlier, we hold no brief for anyone whose name comes up in this article. However, we cannot but state that what the general public is saying about Babadi Kamara is both hot and cold.

While some people view him as a man who has exemplary achievements to his credit because he has lifted some people out of abject poverty and even constructed the first of its kind Southern Arena in Bo City, others are of the view that Babadi Kamara is not cut-out for the sort of leadership needed in the SLFA at this point in time.

Maybe at some other point, but definitely not now, say a number of football stakeholders. “Babadi’s personal touch and interaction with people is something he needs to work extra hard on,” said a close friend of his (who pleaded anonymity), adding that “Babadi is arrogant and his attitude if he is eventually elected will do more harm than good to Sierra Leone football.”

For someone to have an arrogant character is not an insult. However, it is hoped that eventually if he is the one God chooses, he must be able to change or mold his character in such a way so as to be amiable, respectful and a unifier because this is what is expected of any leader.

Be that as it may, as a medium, we only wish the best for Sierra Leone football. Therefore, we are calling on all stakeholders in the football fraternity to choose wisely and not sentimentally for FA President when the time comes.

The Open Space Newspaper will continue following development of this matter.

Credit: © Open Space Newspaper, 4/3/2024