By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the decisive election of Babadi Kamara as President, following a peaceful, transparent and democratic election held in Lungi on Saturday August 2, 2025.
Babadi Kamara secured an overwhelming 43 votes, defeating his nearest rivals Aminata Bangura (11 votes) and Umaru Bah (1 vote). The election was supervised by both international and national stakeholders, including representatives from FIFA (Ahmed Harrh & Mohamed Elshawaby), WAFU Zone A Executive Director Mapathe Gaye, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Sports Madam Augusta James-Teima and NSA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai.
In his victory speech, Babadi Kamara hailed the moment as a turning point for Sierra Leone football, stating, “Football is the real winner today.” He expressed deep gratitude to delegates, supporters and his campaign team for placing their trust in his leadership.
“You voted for action, not politics as usual,” Babadi Kamara told delegates. “There has never been a more humbling moment in my life. I don’t feel victorious, I feel responsible.”
The newly elected SLFA Executive is considered one of the most geographically inclusive in the Association’s history. The full list of elected officials includes:
- Vice President 1: Alie Badara Tarawallie
- Vice President 2: Prince Saquee
- Women’s Representative: Haja Ramatulai Kamara
- Executive Members: Kweku Melvin Sheldon Lisk and Mohamed Sorie Jalloh
Babadi Kamara also paid emotional tribute to his family, supporters and football mentors. He mentioned his son Bashir, who turned one on the day of the election and prayed for the recovery of veteran football figure Pa Alie Commoner Kargbo.
The President-Elect used the occasion to outline his priorities for reform, accountability and the professionalization of football in Sierra Leone.
“In Sierra Leone, football is not just a sport ; it is a national unifier,” he said. “When football wins, Sierra Leone wins.”
He criticized past mismanagement, citing the disruption of the Premier League to accommodate unofficial overseas trips and delays in prize money payments to Bo Rangers and Bhantal FC.
“That chapter is closed,” Babadi Kamara declared. “We are here to fix what has been broken.”
Babadi Kamara is widely credited for transforming Bo Rangers FC into a domestic football powerhouse. Under his leadership, the club won three Sierra Leone Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two Community Shields in just four years.
Promising to bring that same focus and discipline to the national stage, Babadi Kamara emphasized his commitment to transparency, structure and inclusive governance.
“My name means something to me and I will protect it through discipline and action,” he stressed.
He further revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone currently spends over $300,000 per match on Leone Stars and promised to ensure better returns on such investments through strategic planning and performance.
Calling for national unity, Babadi Kamara reminded Sierra Leoneans that “Leone Stars belongs to every citizen regardless of region, ethnicity or political belief.” He emphasized the need to stop treating political rivals as enemies and urged all stakeholders to work together to develop the game.
In his closing remarks, Babadi Kamara appealed for peace, humility and dedication from fans and football authorities alike.
“Let us return home peacefully. Let’s rebuild our football together. We have the potential, and we will realize it.”
With the SLFA elections now concluded, attention turns to the new administration’s ability to implement structural reforms and raise the national game to new heights, including the long-term ambition of making Sierra Leone a regular contender at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“God has done it for Sierra Leone football today,” Babadi Kamara affirmed. “The habits that held this sport back for years; those are behind us.”
