By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has reached a historic milestone as President Babadi Kamara on Tuesday, December 9, signed the federation’s first-ever Anti-Doping Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Olympic Committee-Sierra Leone (NOC).
The signing ceremony was held at the NOC Office on Walpole Street in Freetown.
This landmark partnership establishes a formal framework aimed at promoting clean sport, protecting athletes, and strengthening integrity within Sierra Leonean football.
In his statement, President Babadi Kamara emphasized that the agreement is designed to protect players’ health, ensure fair play, and uphold the ethics of the sport. He highlighted the importance of shielding the country’s young and growing talent pool from drug abuse, describing the MOU as a vital first step. “If we are not able to completely eradicate drugs, we will at least minimize it to the barest minimum,” he assured.
The ceremony was witnessed by several key stakeholders, including NOC President Prince Vandy Sualley; NOC Secretary Ahmed Khanou; Head of the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO-SL), Dr. Conton; and the Acting General Secretary of SLFA, Mohamed Benson Bawoh all of whom underscored the national importance of this groundbreaking agreement.
In his remarks, NOC President Prince Vandy Sualley expressed gratitude to the SLFA for initiating the partnership and pledged the Committee’s full support for its effective implementation. He also voiced optimism for continued collaboration to enhance sports development across the country.
This agreement marks a major step forward in President Babadi Kamara’s ongoing efforts to promote professionalism, transparency, and integrity within Sierra Leone’s sporting landscape.