By Alieu Ceesay
In a bold move to elevate Gambian football to global standards, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) convened a daylong stakeholder dialogue on Thursday at the Metzy Residence Hotel in Kololi. The forum, attended by club representatives, government officials, private sector leaders, and former national team players, aimed to chart a path toward professionalizing the country’s domestic league, marking the end of over seven decades of amateur competitions.
The dialogue aligns with GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo’s vision to transform football into a sustainable business, fostering economic growth and job opportunities. “The creation of a professional football league will not only raise the standard of football in the country for accrued financial benefits to investors, players, officials, and the larger football community, but it will undoubtedly complement the government’s program of creating more jobs for youths,” Bajo declared. He emphasized that a professional league could curb risky migrations by providing young players with viable career paths in their home countries.
Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the initiative, outlining a roadmap to transition from amateur operations to a market-driven model. “We affirm our full commitment to push for the establishment of the National Sports Development Fund, captured in our National Sports Bill, which will soon be tabled before the National Assembly,” Badjie stated. He highlighted plans to upgrade sports facilities, promote gender equity, support data-driven research, and foster international partnerships. Badjie urged stakeholders to champion this transformative journey.
Leading the development of the league’s business plan is consultant Muhammadou M. Fanneh, who expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to reshape Gambian football. “We want Gambia to be a winning nation, as outlined in the national sports policy,” Fanneh said. His plan focuses on creating revenue streams, identifying investment opportunities, establishing cost controls, and ensuring the league’s long-term viability.
Muhammed Lamin Drammeh, Secretary General of Fortune FC, a first-division club, shared how professionalization could revolutionize club operations. “It would require us to adopt structured management practices, such as hiring qualified staff, using data-driven analytics, and upgrading training facilities to meet professional standards,” Drammeh told The Alkamba Times. He noted that amateur status limits clubs’ ability to attract investment or commercial partners, a challenge a professional league could address.
Drammeh also called for a clear framework to equitably distribute media rights, sponsorship deals, and league revenues to reduce financial disparities among clubs. “A plan for government or private sector partnerships to fund stadium upgrades and training facilities is critical,” he added, citing the lack of FIFA- and CAF-standard playing grounds. He acknowledged that the transition demands significant investment in infrastructure, governance, and financial management, areas where many clubs currently fall short.
The dialogue underscored the GFF’s reliance on government and partner sponsorships to elevate football standards. Stakeholders discussed the need for modern facilities, robust governance, and sustainable financial models to attract investors and ensure competitiveness. The proposed National Sports Development Fund and infrastructure upgrades signal a commitment to addressing these gaps.
Former national team players at the forum emphasized the cultural and economic potential of a professional league, noting its ability to inspire youth and boost national pride. Private sector representatives expressed interest in sponsorship opportunities, provided the league adopts transparent and professional management practices.
As The Gambia seeks to align its football with developing nations, the GFF’s stakeholder dialogue marks a pivotal step toward realizing this ambition. The federation’s leadership, backed by government support and stakeholder buy-in, aims to create a league that not only produces competitive teams but also drives economic empowerment. However, the success of this vision hinges on sustained investment, collaboration, and a commitment to overcoming longstanding structural challenges.
With the National Sports Bill nearing presentation and plans for facility upgrades underway, Gambian football stands at a crossroads. The coming months will reveal whether this dialogue translates into tangible progress, setting the stage for a new era in the nation’s most beloved sport.
