By: Mohamed Sahr
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, together with the Executive Committee, officially turned the sod on Friday, 22nd May, for the construction of a new 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom.
The project, valued at over US$250,000, is being privately funded by the SLFA President himself as part of his continued commitment to the development of football infrastructure in Sierra Leone.
The new facility is expected to provide improved comfort, safety, and dignity for supporters attending matches at the SLFA Academy Field.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima; the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Sports, Hon. Rachel Pessima; the Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq.; SLFA Vice President 1, Alie Badara Tarawallie; and other members of the SLFA Executive Committee.
Speaking at the event, the NSA Executive Director, Mohamed Alphaka Conteh Esq., commended President Kamara and the SLFA Executive for their leadership and commitment to advancing football development in Sierra Leone. He noted that the new infrastructure would modernize the SLFA Academy Field and elevate its status as a key sporting venue.
The Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing transformation within Sierra Leone football under President Kamara’s leadership.
She stated “I want other sporting disciplines in Sierra Leone to emulate and learn from the development the Football Association is driving. It is only through collaboration that we can make the game better and more accessible.”
President Kamara also outlined further developments within the SLFA, revealing that construction of the 435-seater pavilion is one of several ongoing projects.
He announced that the association has secured a new headquarters, which is expected to be officially opened in October.
“These developments will bring dignity and respect to the SLFA among our regional member associations,” he said.
He further disclosed that the SLFA has received FIFA approval to construct two new pitches at Albert Academy School and The Bo School under the FIFA Arena Project. These facilities are expected to expand access to quality playing surfaces at the school level, with more institutions set to benefit in the future.