Businessman and experienced football administrator, Babadi Kamara, on Sunday 15 June 2025, completed his official nomination to contest for the presidency of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). Babadi and his team submitted their papers at the FA Secretariat on Battery Street, Kingtom. The highly anticipated election is set for August 2, 2025, in Lungi, North-Western Sierra Leone.
BBD, who is widely credited with transforming Bo Rangers Football Club into a dominant force in the Premier League, is now aiming to bring that same success and structure to the national stage.
“Football has been my passion since I was a boy. From playing for Malcolm Stars in Bo to organizing peace matches in secondary school and leading sports activities at IPAM, I have lived and breathed the game,” the Southern Area CEO said after his nomination.
From mockery to glory – a proven track record
Established in 1954, Bo Rangers had never lifted the Premier League until BBD’s leadership in 2019 changed that narrative. Once nicknamed Bo Garie due to repeated losses, the club underwent a strategic overhaul under his watch, eventually securing three consecutive league titles.
His tenure also saw the construction of a club house and one of the finest stadiums in the Mano River Union – Southern Arena, a facility now approved by CAF and FIFA.
“If I can do all that, imagine what I can do for Sierra Leone football. I am ready to sacrifice time, energy, and resources to change the game’s trajectory,” he stated.
Infrastructure and discipline at the core of his agenda
Babadi Kamara didn’t mince words about the state of the SLFA headquarters or the general infrastructure surrounding the country’s football ecosystem.
“You can’t talk about artificial turf without WASH facilities. You can’t play under floodlights that don’t light the perimeter. This is how indiscipline and chaos begin.”
He expressed embarrassment at the current condition of the SLFA compound, describing it as an “eyesore” compared to the modern, well-maintained football headquarters in neighboring countries like Ghana, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
“When FIFA or CAF officials visit, we take them to a building that doesn’t reflect our passion or professionalism. That needs to change and I am ready to lead that change,” the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers added.
Restructuring the league and aligning with global standards
BBD also pledged to fix the football calendar, calling out the ongoing Premier League matches during the rainy season, while most African leagues have already concluded and begun preparing for continental tournaments.
“Even countries with no rain don’t play football during this period. Liberia ended their season in May and are now preparing for CAF competitions. What are we doing? This is bad governance.”
If elected, Babadi plans to shift the league calendar to start between October and November, in sync with international best practices.
A message of unity through football
Beyond reforms, Babadi Kamara stressed the power of football as a unifying force in Sierra Leone.
“Leone Stars is our only true point of convergence. Tribe, region, politics; all disappear when we watch our national team. That’s why football matters, and why we must protect and grow it.”
With strong backing from district football chairmen and a majority of clubs, BBD is confident heading into the August 2 election. Out of 47 delegates, he needs 29 votes to win – numbers already in his corner.
