To take Salone football forward vote Babadi: A man who can administer, and manage football better!!

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) is in its gear to go into elections to elect its President for 2025 to manage and administer football in the country. The Association itself was established in 1960 as the national Football Association in the country to administer and manage football, improve the game, regulate and control it, ensure fair play, enhance unity, uphold educational, cultural and humanitarian values and ensure youth empowerment and development programs.

By and large, SLAFA is a member of the West African Football Union (WAFU), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) but 64 years on, Sierra Leone can boast of nothing in world football in terms of achievement or participating effectively in football competitions, organized by either CAF or FIFA.   The country has lagged behind its counterparts in the sub-region in world football for the past 64 years and has no major trophy or consistent appearance in major competitions. Whilst other countries progress, Sierra Leone retrogresses with no footprints in the glare of publicity in football, the premier league has been inconsistent, shaky and not attractive at all.

The Association, except for recent times with Bio Presidency when the Premier was resuscitated, SLFA failed to organize consistent competitions at the national level. The organization and management of the Football Association (FA) has been poor, despite efforts by some in the past.

In all of these, who will be the kingpin of Sierra Leone football to effect the dramatic change and transformation in football; meet changing times, improve the game and ensure effective and efficient competition; regulate, control and ensure fair play; avert, aversion and enhance unity among its member, and above all make football a magnet of attention in Sierra Leone and beyond?

Football fans and stakeholders far and wide are overwhelmed in looking for a person, who has football at heart,  a visionary, astute, conscientious, disciplined and result-oriented leader, who can administer and manage the Association better and is more than willing and ready to boost football in the country.

Say what you like, but one person who befits the qualities above, is   Babadi Kamara, the potential President of SLAFA, current  Manager of Bo Rangers and former  Leone Stars Manager,  under whose auspices, Sierra Leone participated in  African Cup of Nations in Cameroun two years ago. People say,  ‘’Babadi Kamara embodies the qualities and vision needed to revitalize and elevate football in Sierra Leone. His leadership, experience, integrity, and forward-looking approach make him the best man for the job, and his election would undoubtedly herald a new chapter of optimism and promise for the beautiful game in the country’’

Essentially, Babadi   Kamara is a household name and a magnet of attention with footprints on football development in Sierra Leone. He is the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers Football Club, CEO of Leadway Trading, former Men’s National Team Manager, businessman, and philanthropist. He quite recently completed the construction of  a 6,000-capacity modern stadium called the Southern Arena, a prestigious edifice in the heartland of Bo City

 Sierra Leoneans far and wide, have the strongest conviction that Babadi Kamara is the most suitable or ideal candidate for the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President.  C4D Media rounds among football fans in the country have alluded that  ‘’Having Babadi as SLFA President is germane to take football forward and make Sierra Leone the envy of many countries in the sub region’ Current and past footballers have strongly argued that:  ‘’Babadi has football at heart and can administer and manage football better than any of his opponents, because SLFA needs discipline, visionary and patriotic president to take football forward.  With Babadi SLFA presidency, there is no doubt that Sierra Leone is bound to benefit because he is willing and ready to give his all and will stop at nothing to accelerate the change football fans anticipated for the development of football in the country.

Now that, the SLFA Presidential Elections 2025 is fast approaching and certain names have started showing up with interest in the Presidency to administer and manage football in the country, it goes without prejudice that Babadi Kamara is the beacon of hope for the future of football in Sierra Leone with a distinct track record.  He is the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC and the Founder/CEO of Southern Arena. He revived and capacitated Bo Rangers to compete and win the premiership, and also qualified and competed in the African Championship. With such exuberance, Babadi Kamara has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to football in Sierra Leone and Africa for which he commands a reservoir of respect in sport.

Make no mistake,   Babadi Kamara is the best man for the SLFA presidency:

1. Experience and Expertise: Babadi Kamara as SLFA President will judiciously make use of his wealth of experience and expertise to promote football in the country with credence taken from his successful tenure as the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC, where he made significant achievements, including the revitalization of the club and its rise to prominence in Sierra Leonean football. Under his leadership, Bo Rangers FC has not only excelled on the pitch but has also made strides in youth development and community engagement, showcasing Kamara’s holistic approach to football management.
2. Managerial & Business Acumen:  As Founder/CEO of Southern Arena, Babadi Kamara used his business acumen, leadership and managerial skills to accomplish the construction of a FIFA-certified 600-seater ultra-modern stadium, Southern Arena and encouraged a lot of people to compete for membership in Bo Rangers Football Club.  Since the establishment of the club in 1954, the club never won a major trophy until under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, when the club won the Premiership League title for the first time in its history and the first time it participated in the CAF Intercontinental game. His contribution to the development of sports infrastructure in Sierra Leone made Babadi, a magnet of attention, national and international acclamation putting him in a strategic position to become President of SLAFA.
3. Committed to Sports Governance: Babadi is committed to sports governance, which is the framework and culture within which a sports body sets policy, delivers its strategic objectives, engages with stakeholders, monitors performance, evaluates and manages risk and reports to its constituents on its activities and progress including the delivery of effective, sustainable and proportionate sports policy.  He is known for his integrity, transparency, and commitment to sports governance principles
4. Leadership Qualities: Babadi has astute leadership qualities, which are essential for the effective, efficient and smooth running of SLAFA without encumbrances in light of the challenges and controversies that plagued the Association.  Babadi’s reputation for ethical conduct and accountability makes him a trusted figure within the football community and positions him as a unifying force capable of bringing positive change to SLAFA.
5. Has football at Heart:  Babadi Kamara has demonstrated that he nursed football at the bottom and most fertile part of his heart for which he is ready all in his powers, ability and financial propriety to promote football in the country and beyond.  His candidacy for the SLFA presidency is a determined one built on a comprehensive vision for the future of football in Sierra Leone. His strategic plan encompasses initiatives to enhance football academy development, improve infrastructure and facilities beyond the football pitch, foster partnerships with local and international stakeholders, and promote ethical standards and fair play within the sport. His agenda reflects a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of the football community and a genuine commitment to advancing the sport at all levels.
6. His candidacy is unique to boost SLAFA and Football:  Babadi Kamara’s candidacy represents a unique opportunity for the SLFA to usher in a new era of leadership characterized by professionalism, inclusivity, and progress. His proven track record, leadership qualities, and vision for the future make him the best candidate to lead the SLFA and steer Sierra Leonean football toward greater heights of success and recognition on the national and international stage.
7. Made the First record transfer deal in the League: It is no secret that before the emergence of Babadi in the football limelight, there were low fees for the transfer of footballers from one club to the other internally, In 2021, he made the first record transfer deal valued at about 225,000,000 for a striker, Musa Noah Kamara from East End Lions FC. It shows that Babadi is more committed to the development of Football in Sierra Leone.

In conclusion, Babadi Kamara is a leading figure in Sierra Leone Football. During the construction of Ultra-modern stadium in Bo, he was said to have stated under the hot burning sun ‘’…I am here working for my country. The short-term objective of my work is to ensure our most loved National Team Leone Stars plays their next qualifying match here in Sierra Leone instead of going to neighboring countries with no home advantage which mostly counts against us. I can’t be distracted by any blog against my personality for I know my inner self’’

Babadi Kamara was poised to invest in an ultra-modern stadium, following the CAF February 27^th 2021 ban of the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown for International matches due to the poor facilities of the stadium which has been the main venue for all international matches since the structure was constructed in 1979.

A man of this nature, exuberance, commitment, good work and above all, nursed football at the deepest and most fertile part of his heart, needs the opportunity for SLAFA President if at all, we want football to progress, devoid of politics, region or tribe. He cuts across tribal, political and tribal lines as manifested in his team Bo Rangers.

Let have Babadi Kamara voted. He looks like the time.