Banjul, 16th June 2025: The Gambia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Bakary Y. Badjie, has reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to transforming football into a viable, professional industry, describing it as a national priority.
Speaking during the opening of a high-level stakeholder dialogue on the professionalisation of football, held at the Metzy Hotel in Kotu, Minister Badjie said the future of Gambian football rests on strong institutional collaboration, strategic planning, and long-term investment.
“Football is more than just a sport,” Minister Badjie said. “It is a powerful tool for youth empowerment, social unity, national pride, and job creation. Despite our abundance of talent, our league remains underdeveloped, and that must change.”
The day-long dialogue was convened by the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and brought together club executives, technical officials, business stakeholders, partners, and policymakers to develop a unified roadmap for a sustainable and competitive national league.
The Minister emphasised that the newly launched National Sports Policy (2024–2034) fully aligns with the objectives of the professionalisation agenda, focusing on talent development, good governance, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships with the private sector.
Highlighting key government efforts, he announced that a National Sports Development Fund is already embedded in the upcoming National Sports Bill, which will soon be presented to the National Assembly. The fund is aimed at ensuring consistent financing for sports growth across the country.
Minister Badjie also lauded the GFF’s upcoming Business Plan, calling it essential to laying the foundation for a results-driven, accountable, and investment-ready football league system.
“A clearly defined business model will not only attract investor confidence but also steer us from ad hoc operations to a dynamic, market-driven football industry,” he noted.
He further called on all football actors to challenge outdated mindsets and build consensus, adding, “Gambian football must be shaped by committed and engaged stakeholders who are ready to work together.”
Also addressing the forum, GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo underscored the importance of the initiative, describing the dialogue as a turning point for Gambian football. He praised the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its continued support, particularly since 2017, which he said has led to a significant rise in funding for national teams and improved international performances.
“This dialogue marks a crucial step toward the creation of a professional league—a long-standing priority on our agenda,” Bajo stated. “It brings together all the relevant players—government, private sector, development partners, fans, commentators, and club owners—to collectively shape a plan that clearly outlines the business case for football.”
Bajo assured stakeholders and club owners that their investment in football would yield long-term benefits.
“The dividends of investing in Gambian football are real and visible. A professional league will not only elevate the quality of the game but also create jobs and reduce the desperation driving young talents to risk their lives migrating abroad,” he added.
He encouraged full participation in the discussions and acknowledged the Minister’s personal dedication to the cause.
“Hon. Badjie’s presence here speaks volumes about the strong partnership between government and the football community. We urge you to champion this project within government circles—it will be remembered as one of your major legacies.”
The forum expected to feed into a comprehensive policy document that will guide the professionalization of football in The Gambia, ushering in an era of accountability, resilience, and pride in the nation’s most beloved sport.
Also present at the event was Dr. Momodou Mustapha Fanneh, consultant for the professional league development plan, who provided technical insights into league structures, financial modeling, and international best practices.
By Lamarana S. Jallow
