Following the arrival of the FIFA assigned Consultant to The Gambia on 26 February 2014, and his subsequent visit to the site for the proposed artificial turf approved for The Gambia.
The GFF is pleased to report that Mr Cyrille Betemps accompanied by the Senior Management Team of the GFF and the National Sports Council has successfully conducted a survey at Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region (LRR) as the site for the laying of the FIFA sponsored artificial turf, according to a media release issued by Bakary B. Baldeh, Gambia Football Federation Media Officer.
The GFF entourage arrived at Soma on Thursday afternoon with a big welcoming ceremony by the local community amidst drumming and dancing in joy of the gigantic development brought to their Region.
The team was accompanied to the Governor’s Office in Mansakonko for a courtesy call where GFF 3rd Vice President and Head of Delegation Basirou Bajo expounded on the reasons for the team’s visit but also thanked the LRR for the warm hospitality and welcome accorded them.
LRR Governor Salifu Puye welcomed the guests from the Football Federation and assured the FIFA delegate and GFF that the turf if completed would be maximally sustained and put into its best use.
He thanked the GFF for their positive foresight but was quick to highlight that the LRR is a strong advocate for sports development and that the Region supports the initiatives of the GFF.
FIFA consultant Cyrille Betemps thanked the people of Jarra Soma through the Governor, Salifu Puye, for their warm welcome.
He said FIFA is a developed oriented institution thus after the GFF president’s request for the artificial turf, the FIFA President Sepp Blatter deemed it necessary without delay to approve the project for The Gambia which is why he was assigned to survey the site.
He assured the Governor and the GFF officials of FIFA’s continued support.
The proposed site is along the Soma and Pakalinding Highway with a Perimeter Square of 800x700 meters.
In fact, work has started on the site in earnest in the area of fencing. Additional work is expected to kick off after the survey report is submitted to FIFA to finalise arrangements for the Turf.
In the wake of this development, the GFF Executive takes this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their support and encouragement since the inception of this development.
The football body is further pleased to extend its infinite gratitude to the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for all the logistical support given to them for the acquisition of the proposed site for the laying of the turf.
