At the poignant moment of his inauguration as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara pledged unwavering commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline in football administration.

“There will be no financial indiscipline under my watch,” Kamara declared, outlining a leadership philosophy rooted in accountability and ethical governance.

Kamara, elected in early August 2025 by a decisive vote of 43 out of 57 delegates, replaces former SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima.

Brima was allegedly disqualified by the Ethics Committee for submitting false documents, including a fraudulent police clearance certificate. His election marked a turning point in SLFA politics.

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In his acceptance speech, Kamara called on all stakeholders to unite in pursuit of his vision. “Football is the real winner today,” he affirmed, urging political rivals to “let bygones be bygones” for the progress of the game. He promised a governance structure grounded in the constitution, with independent committees and teams formed through transparent EXCO and Congress processes.

Kamara’s promise to eradicate financial mismanagement stems from both experience and principle. During his tenure as Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers FC, he championed transparent administration disclosing club finances on demand, demonstrating fiscal responsibility, and investing in long-term infrastructure including a clubhouse and a modern 6,000-seat stadium, the Southern Arena. His record underscores his belief in ethical leadership: “Those things that will bring disrepute in the game will be a thing of the past during my reign,” he stated.

Kamara has long advocated involving football stakeholders across the country in decision-making. His approach at Bo Rangers included restructuring to incorporate representatives from diverse groups, traditional leaders, unions, and technical experts fostering accountability and inclusive leadership. As incoming SLFA President, he has pledged to extend this model nationally, embedding stakeholder participation throughout SLFA governance.

Kamara has already delivered results as Bo Rangers Chairman. Under his leadership, the club has secured three consecutive league titles (2021–22 through 2023–24), performed regularly in CAF Champions League competitions, and built state-of-the-art infrastructure that benefits both the club and local communities. His investments have included grassroots support such as donating over NLe 150,000 and dozens of footballs to a Kono inter-chiefdom tournament and efforts to uplift underserved districts.

Kamara’s presidency signals a shift toward governance, with a focus on eliminating financial mismanagement and building infrastructure and systems from the grassroots up, his leadership could mark a new chapter for Sierra Leonean football.