By Forum staff writer
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has increased the seed money for Premier League clubs from NLe200,000 to NLe225,000 for the 2026/27 season.
The announcement was made by SLFA President Babadi Kamara during the Leone Rock Premier League Awards Night held at the Bintumani Hotel on Friday evening.
The new allocation represents a 12.5 percent increase and comes as the Premier League prepares to operate with 16 clubs next season, following the reduction of participating teams from 18.
President Kamara said the increase was part of efforts to provide greater support to clubs as they prepare for another competitive season.
He also praised the just concluded Premier League season, describing it as one of the best in recent years. He attributed the progress to improved administration, disciplinary standards and the introduction of the FIFA Connect system.
The SLFA President also disclosed that match officials have benefited from an increase in their fees since his administration took office. According to him, referees’ fees have increased from NLe700 to NLe2,000.
Kamara said the SLFA had also succeeded in organising all major domestic football competitions during the past year. These include the Men’s Premier League, Women’s Premier League, FA Cup, Division One and Division Two competitions.
On discipline and the integrity of domestic football, the SLFA boss said his administration had taken action against a number of match officials found to have breached competition rules.
He maintained that the association would continue to protect the credibility of its competitions and would not favour any club.
“No one is cheating anyone, at least not under my administration,” Kamara said.
The SLFA President congratulated Bo Rangers for winning the Premier League title and Star Sport Academy for finishing as runners up. He also encouraged the relegated clubs to work hard and return stronger, while calling on the promoted teams to prepare properly for the demands of top flight football.
Attention, he said, must now also turn to the national team, Leone Stars, ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for September.
Kamara described Leone Stars as the “heartbeat of every Sierra Leonean” and appealed for national support as the team prepares for the qualifiers.
He disclosed that Technical Director John Edward Keister and Head Coach Didier Gomez Da Rosa travelled to the United Kingdom on Friday to scout players ahead of the upcoming matches.
Meanwhile, the SLFA President announced plans to construct additional football facilities next year, including artificial turf projects. He identified Lungi among the areas expected to benefit from the planned facilities.
Kamara expressed appreciation to Leone Rock Metal Group, the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Finance, football supporters and SLFA staff for their continued contribution to the development of football.
He also thanked President Julius Maada Bio and his government for what he described as continued financial support towards football development in Sierra Leone.
The SLFA says the increased club funding and planned infrastructure projects form part of its broader efforts to strengthen domestic football and create better opportunities for players and clubs across the country.
