The allocation ceremony, held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Conference Room in Banjul, brought together key government officials and Lamin community leaders,
Minister of Local Government and Lands, Hon. Ahmat Bah, announced that the government has formally secured land in Lamin for the project. “This is specifically for our new second national stadium that we intend to build for the youths and the people of The Gambia,” he declared, as he handed over the allocation document.
Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, the minister for Youth and Sports, said the identified site has been divided into two portions: one for the national stadium, to be constructed by the government, and another granted to the Lamin community for their own sports facilities. According to the minister, the arrangement ensures both national development and local ownership, with Lamin receiving permanent rights to part of the land for community projects.
He emphasised that President Adama Barrow has personally followed up on the matter, directing that Lamin should host the country’s second national stadium.
He assured the community that once financing and development partners are secured, construction will begin, cementing Lamin’s role as the new home of Gambian football and athletics.
Jammeh E.K. Bojang, Lamin VDC chairperson, welcomed the announcement with open arms. Mr. Bojang, speaking on behalf of the community, said: “We are more than happy to host the national stadium in Lamin. We have always offered our land for this purpose, because we know what it means to have such an important facility in our community. Lamin will become visible, not only nationally but internationally.”
The new stadium is expected to address the chronic shortage of modern sporting infrastructure in the country. The Independence Stadium in Bakau has faced years of criticism and was even declared unfit to host international football matches, forcing The Gambia to play crucial fixtures abroad. For athletes and sports enthusiasts, the Lamin stadium represents not just a building, but a symbol of progress and pride.
The ceremony ended with a handover of documents, sealing Lamin’s place as the future host of The Gambia’s second national stadium project.
