By Alpha Barrie
Thomas Daddy Brima, the visionary President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), has not only succeeded in transforming the Country’s most loved sport, but also turning doubters into believers.
According to Daddy Brima, when he assumed leadership as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), hope for meaningful progress in the Country’s football ecosystem seemed distant.
“The sport was seen as little more than a field for dreamers and a platform for occasional philanthropic gestures. Business-driven investment and strategic development were almost unheard of. “However, with a determined vision, the support of the Executive Committee and collaboration with football stakeholders, we have redefined the narrative. We have ushered in a new era where football is recognized as a powerful engine for change, peace, national cohesion, and economic opportunity. Yes, we have been able to achieve this within four years of growth,” he said.
Speaking on the area of transformation, the Chief stressed that “the transformation is undeniable. From dusty, uneven fields, we now boast of modern artificial turfs and professional sports infrastructure. The Southern Arena, spearheaded by my brother Babadi Kamara, stands as a testament to the inspiration birthed by admiration during his time as National Team Manager. Mohamed Kallon is bringing the MK3 Sports Complex to life, while East End Lions’ Trade Field is undergoing a transformation under Ambassador Junior Navo’s leadership”.
Inspiring is the rise in players’ development, Brima noted that young stars like Abdulai Juma Bah, who journeyed from SLIFA to Valladolid, and now from Manchester City to RC Lens, showcase the talent they are nurturing. “Football academies such as Stars Sports, HADA, Luawa, Kallon, and Francess FC are molding the next generation of players and instilling a professional mindset.”
“Beyond infrastructure and players development, a profound mindset shift has occurred. What was once a game for “dropouts” has become a legitimate platform for serious sports investment and talent development. The audacity of hope is transforming doubters into believers.”
“In the coming days, I am proud to launch the largest football distribution project in Sierra Leone’s history. Over 10,000 balls will be distributed to schools, where PHE teachers, already trained under FIFA’s Football for Schools Project, will catch them young to making them professionals. To further promote football in hard-to-reach regions, 40 motorbikes will be distributed to support grassroots activities. The SLFA President continued. And for the first time, our national teams—Leone Stars, Sierra Queens, and youth teams—will have a designated national team buses. This is the transformation we are visioning in our country’s football. The SLFA President continued. “Lastly, we will also in coming days launch the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Sierra Leone, a process that will target 9 new infrastructural projects including 3 new additional Artificial Turfs, one replacement and 5 grass field projects in nine locations within Sierra Leone.
“This journey has only begun. Together, we will continue turning doubters into believers, driven by the audacity of hope that has revitalized the beautiful game in Sierra Leone,” he affirmed.
