By Mamadu Sallieu Barrie
Nestled in Bo City, Sierra Leone’s second capital, the Southern Arena stands as a testament to the foresight of Babadi Kamara, the Executive Chairman of the Bo Rangers Football Club and the leading Candidate for the Presidency of the Sierra Leone Football Association SLFA.
This stadium, distinctive for being the first in Sierra Leone outside Freetown not named after the Siaka Stevens Stadium, has made history by hosting all tiers of CAF Interclub competitions for both men and women.
While the Siaka Stevens Stadium undergoes renovations, the Southern Arena has steadfastly served as the nation’s premier sporting venue.
Recently, Sierra Leone celebrated a milestone as the Southern Arena hosted the Women’s CAF Champions League WAFU Zone-A qualifiers. This exciting tournament featured female champions from Liberia, The Gambia, Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone, all competing for a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League group stage. Based on that, Babadi Kamara’s pivotal role in advancing Sierra Leone’s sports infrastructure deserves significant recognition.
In the coming days, the Southern Arena will continue to shine. On August 17th, 2024, Bo Rangers, Sierra Leone’s champions, will face Ivorian side San Pedro FC in the Total Energies CAF Champions League first-round preliminary qualifiers. The following day, August 18th, 2024, FA Cup finalists East End Lions will host Senegal’s Jaraaf FC in the Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup at the same venue.
The Southern Arena’s impact on Sierra Leone’s football infrastructure is undeniable. Without this venue, the country might have missed the opportunity to host such prestigious matches. Babadi Kamara’s visionary leadership in constructing the Southern Arena has enabled Sierra Leone to showcase its footballing prowess on the international stage.
The Southern Arena Stadium has significantly boosted the economy of Bo City and its residents. During CAF matches, hotels are fully booked, and local business owners thrive as their products and services are in high demand. Thousands of fans travel from various countries to support their clubs, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Babadi has revitalized football in Sierra Leone, and the impact of the Southern Arena is profound, as it has also provided employment opportunities for many young people in the area.
With the national stadium still under renovation, Kamara’s foresight has been crucial in keeping these important CAF Interclub fixtures within Sierra Leone, ensuring that the games did not need to be relocated to neighboring countries or beyond.
With Babadi Kamara’s passion for football and his dedication to improving Sierra Leonean football, he has achieved remarkable milestones over the years. Many have tipped him as the favorite to become the next SLFA president. His genuine sacrifices and impactful contributions to the game are highly commendable.
