By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Football Association have on 2nd February conducted a CAF-mandated inspection and assessment of the newly constructed Southern Arena in Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone, in a bid to secure CAF certification of the facility.
The high-powered SLFA team of inspectors including the Vice President 1 Harold Nat-Johnson, General Secretary Chris Kamara, and Head of Media and Marketing Ibrahim Kamara was primarily tasked to ascertain whether the stadium meets the CAF inflexible standards to enable it to host both national and international matches.
After the inspection, Vice President 1 Harold Nat-Johnson pointed out that he was highly impressed with what he had seen within the stadium facility. He congratulated Babadi Kamara for erecting such “a magnificent playing facility” in the southern part of the country.
“As a federation, we are hopeful of securing the much-needed CAF approval to be hosting international matches and zonal tournaments here at the Southern Arena”. Mr. Johnson added.
General Secretary Chris Kamara thanked Babadi and his construction team for their cooperation and the high level of professionalism shown during the inspection.
“We have done our part, it is now for CAF to decide”. He said.
In response, the CEO and owner of the 6,000-seater stadium Babadi Kamara said, “I did this as my token of support towards the development of football in Sierra Leone, and my biggest joy behind constructing the facility will be, watching the Sierra Leone National Team- Leone Stars play competitive CAF and FIFA matches here”.
“I am therefore extremely delighted and thankful that SLFA is making the necessary efforts for the stadium to secure CAF and FIFA approval,” Kamara added.
In another development, the Sierra Leone Football Association on 4th February 2023, completed the payment of the annual regional subvention of ($ 10,000) Ten thousand United States Dollars, which is equivalent to NLE (185,000) One Hundred and Eighty- five Thousand New Leones to each of the five Regional Association across the country.
The said monies are a yearly token of support from SLFA to boost the functions and operations of the regional Association with specific reference to competitions organized within their respective localities. we have these funds available now in the regional Association will be able to kick off their respective leagues across the country.
