The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, has launched wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability, and institutional development in football administration, barely five months after assuming office.

Under Kamara’s leadership, the SLFA has recorded several milestones, including the restoration of its full financial independence by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

On 19 January 2026, FIFA lifted all financial restrictions on the SLFA, a move that reaffirmed international confidence in the governance of football in Sierra Leone. This development was followed by the release of the first tranche of FIFA operational support funds, with further disbursements expected by mid-2026, according to the SLFA.

The association has also increased financial support to Regional Football Associations from 15,000 United States dollars to 50,000 dollars. In addition, allowances paid to referees, match commissioners, and coordinators have risen by more than 100 percent, a measure the SLFA says is intended to improve welfare and raise matchday standards across the country.

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Commercially, the SLFA secured a 150,000-dollar title sponsorship for the Women’s Premier League, described by the association as the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. Sponsorship for the Men’s Premier League also increased by 68 percent, reaching the same 150,000-dollar mark.

Grassroots football development received renewed attention through the nationwide distribution of 8,420 footballs to schools. The SLFA said the initiative represents the most extensive school football equipment distribution ever undertaken in the country.

Institutional reforms have also taken place at the SLFA Secretariat, which has undergone a complete overhaul. Separately, infrastructure improvements valued at 95,000 dollars were carried out at Wusum Field, including the construction of perimeter fencing, the installation of a borehole water system, and the upgrading of dressing room facilities. The SLFA noted that these investments were personally funded by President Kamara.

In terms of competition management, the SLFA introduced a structured and synchronized national football calendar designed to align youth competitions, divisional leagues, and top-tier men’s and women’s leagues. The association also organized its first-ever General Briefing with the media to provide formal updates on reforms, progress, and challenges, in a move aimed at improving transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Technical capacity building has resumed after a long break, with local coaches benefiting from Confederation of African Football (CAF) License A and B refresher courses for the first time in over 15 years. The SLFA said the move is intended to strengthen the local coaching pathway and reduce reliance on foreign technical expertise.

Governance reforms were further reinforced through the nationwide rollout of the FIFA Connect System, which introduces centralized and transparent player registration across all levels of football in Sierra Leone.

Match integrity and safety were also addressed through refresher training and fitness testing for referees, nationwide training for safety officers, and the introduction of performance-based sanctions for match officials. The SLFA said these measures signal an end to tolerance for poor officiating and are aimed at restoring public confidence in domestic competitions.

The SLFA stated that the reforms implemented under President Babadi Kamara’s leadership are intended to lay a solid foundation for a more credible, professional, and competitive future for football in Sierra Leone.