By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, Babadi Kamara, held a high-level one-on-one meeting today with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 47th CAF General Assembly, scheduled for Monday, October 6.
During the strategic engagement, President Kamara expressed his sincere appreciation to President Infantino for his outstanding global leadership, which he noted has been instrumental in transforming football and reigniting hope for the sport in Sierra Leone.
Kamara outlined his administration’s top priorities, which include accelerating infrastructural development through the FIFA Forward Programme, constructing a new SLFA Headquarters, implementing the FIFA Arena Project, aimed at building mini-pitches in communities and schools across Sierra Leone
He also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between SLFA and the Government of Sierra Leone on the “Football for Schools” initiative, aligned with President Julius Maada Bio’s earlier commitment to FIFA during his meeting with Infantino in New York.
Kamara emphasized his vision to establish a new football ecosystem in Sierra Leone rooted in integrity, transparency, and good governance.
In response, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s full support to President Kamara and his executive. He commended Kamara’s personal commitment to football development, stating:
“You are an important person in football today not by coincidence, but because of the shift you have brought into football development personally. When someone comes from the game and has done something for the game personally, we are bound to support them to succeed as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association and that is exactly what we will do.”
Also in attendance at the meeting were Mattias Grafström, FIFA General Secretary, Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Chief Member Association Officer, Kevin Lamour, FIFA Chief Operating Officer, Ali Badara Tarawallie, SLFA Vice President 1, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, SLFA Acting General Secretary
This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership between Sierra Leone and FIFA, and advancing the country’s long-term football development goals.