Lakka, 1st December 2025- Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara has raised the alarm over government interference in the game, warning that the national team’s participation in upcoming international qualifiers could be jeopardized if government interference continues, insisting that the SLFA’s independence is a non-negotiable requirement under FIFA statutes.
Speaking at the Ministry of Sports’ National Consultative Conference in Lakka, Kamara underscored the urgent need for Sierra Leone to align with FIFA’s governance standards. He cited Articles 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, which mandate member associations to manage their affairs independently and free from undue third-party influence.
Kamara expressed concern that Sierra Leone remains the only country where its national team is “multi-managed,” unlike the other 210 FIFA member federations that operate autonomously.
“The national team coach is not expected to have several bosses. We will manage Leone Stars going forward,” Kamara declared, warning that the current arrangement creates confusion and undermines competitive progress.
While acknowledging the Ministry of Sports as the supreme government authority, Kamara cautioned that failure to grant the SLFA operational autonomy could derail preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, scheduled to begin next March.
Despite his firm stance, Kamara welcomed the government’s ongoing review of key governance documents, including the National Sports Policy and the Sports Authority Act, and pledged the SLFA’s full cooperation with the process. He concluded with a reminder of the national team’s symbolic importance:
“Leone Stars is the only asset owned by every Sierra Leonean. We must do everything humanly possible to protect it.”
