By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The newly elected President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, will represent Sierra Leone at the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) 47th Ordinary General Assembly, scheduled to take place on October 6th in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. His representation marks Sierra Leone’s renewed presence at the continental football governance table under a fresh leadership mandate.
Babadi Kamara secured a resounding victory during the SLFA Elective Congress held on August 2nd in Lungi, a process which heralded a new era for football administration in the country. He clinched a decisive victory with over 43 delegate votes, comfortably surpassing his closest challenger Aminata Bangura, who secured 11 votes, and Mr. Bah, who managed only one. The peaceful and transparent electoral process was widely hailed by observers as a sign of growing institutional maturity within the nation’s football structures.
This upcoming CAF General Assembly will be Babadi Kamara’s first official international engagement as SLFA President. The gathering brings together heads of all African football federations and senior CAF executives to deliberate on key issues ranging from football development and financial governance to continental tournament planning and policy reforms.
Babadi Kamara succeeds outgone Thomas Daddy Brima, under whose leadership Sierra Leone made considerable strides in infrastructure. However, Babadi Kamara’s ascension signals a new vision and brings a wealth of experience and ambition to the helm of Sierra Leone football, anchored on infrastructural transformation, commercialization of the local game, and grassroots empowerment. His background as Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC and Chief Executive Officer of the state-of-the-art Southern Arena in Bo places him among a new breed of football administrators blending business acumen with sporting ambition.
His four-year mandate, which runs until 2029, is expected to prioritize the strengthening of domestic leagues, expansion of youth academies, enhanced accountability in football governance, and deeper engagement with international partners, including CAF and FIFA.
Babadi Kamara’s debut at CAF’s top policy table not only cements his position on the continental stage but also reaffirms Sierra Leone’s commitment to playing an active role in shaping the future of African football.