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Babadi Kamara, a trailblazer in Sierra Leone football, is the Executive Chairman of Bo Rangers Football Club, former Team Manager of Leone Stars, and the CEO of Leadway Trading. Known for his philanthropy and business acumen, Babadi Kamara has become a transformative figure, redefining football leadership and development in Sierra Leone. Through his visionary leadership, he has turned Bo Rangers from a struggling club into a football powerhouse, revitalizing the football sector and creating a legacy that will resonate for generations.
In February 2019, Babadi Kamara’s name entered Sierra Leone football administration, sparking curiosity and skepticism. Many assumed he was a political aspirant seeking fame through football, as football is a popular platform for visibility in the country. What Sierra Leoneans didn’t know was that Babadi Kamara’s entry marked the beginning of a profound transformation of the football administration in the country.
Bo Rangers, once a prestigious club, had become the “Bo Gari Boys,” ridiculed for its financial struggles and lackluster performances. The team was on the verge of relegation to Sierra Leone’s second-tier league when Babadi was called upon to steer the leadership of the club as Executive Chairman. With a reputation as a successful timber dealer and business mogul, few believed he could juggle his thriving business and the immense challenge of rescuing the club.
However, Babadi Kamara wasted no time. Unlike many executives who remain in the background, he immersed himself in the club’s operations. His first act was securing a bus for the team, eliminating the grueling practice of same-day travel for away matches. Next, he restructured the club’s executive team, empowering it with capable leadership.
Understanding the importance of fan engagement, Babadi Kamara revitalized the Bo Rangers Fan Club, encouraging it to self-generate income and actively participate in the club’s development. These changes inspired hope among supporters, who began to see Babadi’s vision take shape.
Babadi Kamara’s leadership challenged the status quo of Sierra Leone’s football, which was often marred by selfish interests and lack of innovation. His hands-on approach and commitment to transparency quickly garnered admiration. While skeptics doubted his ability to sustain his passion, Babadi proved them wrong by staying true to his mission and delivering unprecedented success.
In 2020, Babadi Kamara initiated the construction of a modern clubhouse for Bo Rangers, a first for any Sierra Leonean born home or abroad, dead or alive. Despite skepticism and criticism, the project was completed in May 2021, providing the club with a professional facility that housed players and staff. The clubhouse not only elevated the club’s reputation but also set a new benchmark for other teams in the country.
In the 2021/2022 league season, the team won its first-ever Sierra Leone Premier League title after 68 years, finishing with the largest points gap in the league’s entire history. The following season, Bo Rangers achieved the extraordinary feat of going an entire season unbeaten, with a record 34-games—a first in Sierra Leone’s top-flight football history.
Babadi Kamara’s crowning achievement is the construction of the Southern Arena, a 6,000-capacity state-of-the-art stadium in Bo. This project, the largest ever undertaken by a Sierra Leonean in sports, has become a beacon of football development in the country.
The Southern Arena is the first stadium outside Freetown to host official CAF inter-club matches and has hosted prestigious events like the WAFU Zone-A Female Championship. It is also the first stadium in the country to accommodate all tiers of CAF inter-club competitions, including both the male and female CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches. The facility is a testament to Babadi Kamara’s vision of making Bo a hub for football excellence in the country.
Bo Rangers, under Babadi Kamara’s guidance, has represented Sierra Leone in the CAF Champions League three times. The club has become the envy of rivals, dominating Sierra Leone football and showcasing the nation’s talent on an international stage.
Babadi’s leadership and managerial skills have inspired admiration from football administrators, stakeholders outside football and the larger Sierra Leonean populace. By blending his business expertise with his passion for the sport, Babadi Kamara has set a standard for other clubs to emulate. His initiatives have also contributed to the economic growth of football in Sierra Leone, creating opportunities and fostering unity among supporters.
During his time as Team Manager of Leone Stars, Babadi Kamara ensured he worked tirelessly in the team’s interest, offering both technical and moral support. Today, his name is inseparable anyway from discussions about Sierra Leone football development.
Babadi Kamara’s work has breathed life into Bo Rangers, transforming the club into one of the best in the sub-region. His legacy is not just about trophies but about building a sustainable framework for football in Sierra Leone.
In less than three years, Babadi Kamara has redefined what it means to lead in Sierra Leone football. From the construction of a modern clubhouse to the establishment of the Southern Arena and record-breaking league successes, Babadi Kamara has turned Bo Rangers into a symbol of excellence. His journey is a story of vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to progress—a legacy that will inspire not just Sierra Leone’s football but African sports as a whole.
