SLFA President Babadi Kamara Commissions Construction of 435-Seater Pavilion at SLFA Academy

The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Babadi Kamara, alongside members of the SLFA Executive Committee, have on Friday, 22 May 2026, officially turned the sod for the construction of a new 435-seater pavilion at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom, Freetown.

The infrastructure project, valued at over US$250,000, is being privately and solely funded by Kamara as part of ongoing efforts to improve football infrastructure in Sierra Leone.

According to an official SLFA social media announcement, the pavilion is expected to provide improved safety, comfort, and dignity for football fans attending games and other football-related activities at the academy field.

Sports Stakeholders Attend Commissioning Ceremony

Image: Cross-section of football stakeholders and SLFA executive members at the commissioning of the 435-seater pavilion

Several key figures in Sierra Leone’s sports sector attended the SLFA Academy to witness the sod-turning ceremony for the new pavilion. 

In attendance were Minister of Sports Augusta James Teima, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Sports Rachel Pessima, National Sports Authority Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh, and SLFA Vice President 1 Alie Badara Tarawallie, along with other members of the SLFA Executive Committee.

Speaking during the ceremony, NSA Executive Director Conteh commended Kamara and the SLFA Executive for what he described as “strong leadership and commitment to the development of football in the country.”

Conteh commended the project, saying that the construction of the pavilion would modernize the SLFA Academy Field and strengthen its position as an important sporting venue in Sierra Leone.

Minister Teima Praises SLFA Development Efforts

Image: Minister of Sports Augusta James Teima at the SLFA Academy

Minister of Sports Augusta James Teima also praised the transformation taking place within the football sector under Kamara’s administration, urging other sports leaders to emulate the SLFA President’s example.

“I want other sporting disciplines in Sierra Leone to emulate and learn from the development the Football Association is driving,” she said. 

“It is only through collaboration that we can make the game better and more accessible,” she added.

SLFA Announces More Infrastructure Developments

Image: SLFA President Babadi Kamara (Right) and NSA Executive Director Mohamed Alphaka Conteh (Left) at the commissioning of the 435-seater pavilion

Kamara, who won the SLFA Presidency in August 2025, disclosed to guests at the event that the pavilion project is part of a broader infrastructure expansion strategy being implemented by his association.

He also revealed that the SLFA has secured a new headquarters, which is expected to be officially commissioned in October this year.

“These developments will bring dignity and respect to the SLFA among our regional member associations,” Kamara stated.

FIFA Approves New School Football Pitches

The SLFA President further announced that the association has received FIFA approval for the construction of two additional football pitches at Albert Academy School in Freetown and The Bo School in Bo under the FIFA Arena Project.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at expanding access to quality playing facilities at school level, with more schools expected to benefit from the project in the future.