As a young man at Gambia High School, Modou Musa carved himself a reputation as a good footballer, and was soon a regular in the school team. And equally brilliant at academic work, Modou Musa’s passion for football grew alongside his class work and by 1974 when he completed school; he was already drafted by Augustinians to play in the national league.
But it was at Starlight that Modou Musa reached his height in football, attracting a call from the national team where he played regularly from the late 70s to mid 80s after his studies in America. In the USA, Modou Musa played college football, excelling as good player even among people from different backgrounds.
After graduating from the now Illinois University, Modou Musa returned home with his academic achievements in the briefcase and a much oiled pair of lethal football legsfrom college football and he naturally found himself back onto the national team starring and helping Gambia to reach the memorable Zone Two tournament in Banjul in 1985. That was perhaps Modou Musa’s last match for the team but his love for the game continued.
At Bakau, where he comes from, Modou Musa was among the residents whose commitment, time and volunteerism in the local sports committee helped Bakau to become one of the best Nawetaan centres in the country. Using his background as a respected financial manager, Modou Musa supervised and managed the Bakau funds to start the first-ever fencing project of the Bakau football field. Modou Musa was part of the Bakau Zonal team that first won a Zonal Competition outside Banjul.
One of his starling achievements in Bakau football was when he succeeded in mending a bitter rift between Steve Biko and fellow Bakau side Sait Matty. The pleasant sight of the two taking joint pictures at stadium after a bitter row is still touching and fresh in many minds.
Modou Musa then joined the GFA interim committee as treasurer in late 1992 until a new executive was elected in 1994.He was head of delegation of The Gambia’s Zone Two contingent to Sierra Leone in 1993, a team that proved a revelation, fighting all the way to the semifinals and restoring much confidence back to the Gambian game. It was at this time that the now very popular Super Nawettan was initiated with Mr Musa and co-interim committee members pioneering this famous community football and he was later elected as treasurer and later second Vice President of the GFA.
As part of the GFA Modou Musa was part of a team that was credited for the monumental foresight of creating the Under 17s, the Under 20s and the Under 23s, a vision that brought unprecedented success for The Gambia at youth level. He spearheaded the revival of Starlight Football Club after a long time in hibernation helping them gain promotion to the 2nd Division of the GFA league recently.
Mr Musa, now head of FiBank, is well respected for his strong management skills and good reputation as a man with strong business acumen and standing.He brings to the job huge experience of football administration and a distinguished professional experience as a finance manager to the service of Gambian football.
Objectives of a Modou Musa Presidency:
Better Cooperation with Government, Local Government Authorities, FIFA and CAF
Better Football Administration
Better Football Infrastructure
Better Funding for the Gambia Football Federation, National Regional Football Associations, Clubs, Referees, Coaches, Medical Personnel and Administrators
Better organized grassroots Football (Juvenile, Schools and Academy Football
Better organized football Calendars and football competitions
Key Issues affecting Gambia Football
Poor Governance structure and weak Management of the Gambia Football Association and Clubs
Inadequate funding for the Football Association and Clubs
Poor Football Infrastructure resulting to Lack of football Calendar and enough Competitions both locally and internationally
Inadequate capacity and limited trained football officials (Both Technical and Administrative)
Lack of structural grassroots football development (i.e. School Football, Academies and Juvenile Football)
Undefined Roles, Functions and Responsibilities of Football Stakeholders
Absence of Periodic Review of activities through AGMs, Stakeholder Conferences, etc.
Steps to Excellence in Gambia Football under Modou Musa
1. Cooperation with Government of The Gambia, FIFA and CAF
- We are in complete support and agreement with the Government of The Gambia’s efforts in ensuring that Football is central to its national development goals and objectives. We recognize the personal support and importance of Football to H.E. The President of The Republic Sheikh Professor Alhagi Dr Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh - Chief Patron of The Gambia Football Federation to the development of Football in The Gambia and beyond. We shall continue to work with Government, FIFA, CAF and all stakeholders for the development of the game. We are in total support of the new GFF Constitution which is geared towards the decentralization of Football and ensure that all stakeholders contribute and participate equally in the administration and development of Football.
2. Standard Football Stadiums in all Regions of The Gambia
- In collaboration with the Government of The Gambia, Local Area Councils, FIFA through the Goal Project, CAF and Regional Football Associations, we shall develop standard Football Grounds in All the Administrative Regions of the Country with 8 years
3. Financially strong Federation, Regional Associations and Clubs
-We would develop strategies and sustainable Marketing Partnerships both locally and internationally to ensure the GFF, Regional Football Associations and Clubs are self-sustainable and adequately financed.
4. Good Local Coaches, Referees, Administrators and Medics
- We shall work with FIFA, CAF, GNOC; Coaches Association etc to ensure the development of well-tailored courses are administered periodically for continuous professional development and capacity building. All coaches are registered and profiled. This will enable the Executive and Technical Department of the GFF to secure well-suited training programmes from FIFA/CAF and bilateral cooperation through government and sister football associations.We plan to have:
More “A” Licence coaches with four years.
More top class referees at the level of Bakary Papa Gassama within 4 years
4 Administrative courses annually to build capacity in Football Administration.
4 medical courses annually to build the capacity of sports medical personnel through an MOU with the American International University.
5. Grassroots Football Development – School Football and Academies 1st
- In collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the School’s Football Association, we would have annual national school football competition in each region and the champions of each region will compete for the national trophy.
- All the academies will be required to register with the GFF and they will be properly structured to ensure kids are trained and managed properly.
6. Women Football
- We would promote the development of women’s football, pledge to support women’s football and work with the Women’s Football Association:
Overcome Social and cultural obstacles that impede the development of Women’s Football
Improve the quality and organization of Women’s Football
Women to occupy Technical and Management Positions in all aspects of Football in The Gambia
Develop and Organize tailored courses for women’s Football Administrators, Players and Officials periodically.