SLFA President Highlights One-Year Achievements, Unveils Vision For Sierra Leone Football
By: Reginald Brian Ojukutu Sawyerr
Sierra Leone President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Babadi Kamara, has outlined the major achievements of his administration during its first year in office while reaffirming his commitment to transforming football in Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a press conference he convened at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, President Kamara said the event was organized to account to the people of Sierra Leone and the football family for what his administration has accomplished over the past year, as well as to present its vision for the years ahead.
Addressing members of the media, football stakeholders, sponsors, partners, and supporters, Kamara expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in his Executive Committee exactly one year after assuming office. He said the administration accepted the responsibility with humility, fully aware of the high expectations and challenges facing Sierra Leone football.
He noted that his leadership promised to build a transparent, disciplined, and ambitious football administration, adding that the progress achieved over the past 12 months demonstrates that the association is moving in the right direction.
Among the achievements highlighted was the ongoing transformation of the SLFA Technical Centre into a modern football development facility. He also spoke about the construction of a new 435-seat pavilion, donated by Mahmud Sef on behalf of the Kamara family, to improve facilities for players, officials, and supporters.
President Kamara further described the acquisition of a permanent headquarters for the Sierra Leone Football Association as one of the administration’s landmark achievements. He said work is already underway to transform the building into one of the finest football headquarters in the sub-region.
On financial management, Kamara disclosed that his administration inherited several outstanding obligations, including unpaid prize money owed to clubs. However, he stressed that the Executive Committee chose to focus on delivering solutions rather than dwelling on past challenges.
He announced that, for the first time in many years, prize money and seed money for an entire football season have been fully paid across the Premier League, FA Cup, Division One (men and women), and Division Two competitions.
The SLFA President also revealed that funding for Regional Football Associations has increased from US$15,000 to US$50,000, describing the move as a major investment in grassroots football development and regional football administration.
Earlier, SLFA Secretary General Mohamed Benson Bawoh said the occasion was not simply about celebrating one year in office but about reflecting on the work accomplished and outlining the association’s future direction.
He said the administration has strengthened football governance, improved competitions, invested in infrastructure, supported the national teams, and laid the foundation for a more structured and sustainable football environment.
Bawoh emphasized that the first year should be seen as “a milestone, not a destination,” noting that the Executive Committee remains committed to delivering even greater progress during the remainder of its four-year mandate.
The press conference concluded with President Babadi Kamara assuring the football community that his administration will continue to pursue reforms, strengthen football institutions, and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to elevate Sierra Leone football to greater heights.
