By Alieu Ceesay
The refurbishment of The Gambia’s Independence Stadium in Bakau is progressing rapidly. The second phase, budgeted at D153 million, commenced two weeks prior and is anticipated to span four months.
The initial phase, completed earlier with a budget of D130M, garnered diverse views from the public. With the second phase underway, workers are actively engaged within and around the pitch, signaling ongoing advancement.
The stadium is slated for substantial renovations, including the creation of additional parking spaces, the installation of a standard scoreboard, the development of a dedicated area for the press, and the addition of restrooms in all four pavilions.
Ebou Faye, the General Manager of Independence Stadium, stressed that the ongoing renovations are intended to fulfill the Confederation of African Football’s standards for hosting international events and Matches and address long-overdue concerns about the stadium’s condition.
“All the renovations are part of CAF recommendations, and we will ensure they are completed,” stated General Manager Faye during a recent visit.
During the renovation phase, maintaining security is of utmost importance. Consequently, perimeter fences and entry points are being modified to bolster security protocols.
Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Badjie reassured that The Gambia would host its international matches after the second phase, highlighting the financial burden of hosting home matches outside the country.
“When we host international matches outside The Gambia, we still incur costs, such as transportation and accommodation for both our team and visiting teams,” noted Minister Badjie. “Hosting matches locally will bring back revenue to our economy through hotel bookings, transportation services, and other economic activities around the stadium.”
The current renovation of Independence Stadium is a testament to The Gambia’s dedication to enhancing its sports facilities and promoting economic development via sports events.
