Speaking Friday evening at the Mansa Kunda Ministerial Town Hall Meeting held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, the minister said the public often overlooks major youth and sports initiatives by reducing the ministry's work to the stadium project alone.
Responding to questions from participants, he pointed to several programmes aimed at empowering young people, including the National Youth Service Scheme, graduate internship placements, apprenticeship opportunities, and digital skills initiatives.
He said hundreds of young people are currently benefiting from government-supported training and job placement programmes, with participants receiving monthly stipends while gaining work experience.
On sports development, the minister highlighted government investment in national team coaches, community sports infrastructure, and youth centres across the country. He said facilities have been developed or supported in various regions, including Farafenni, Janjanbureh, Bansang, and other communities.
Addressing concerns about the Independence Stadium, the minister acknowledged delays but attributed them to the scale of work required to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
According to him, the football pitch rehabilitation has been completed and attention is now focused on athletics facilities, including the installation of a new running track. He said President Adama Barrow approved additional funding to ensure the facility caters to both football and track-and-field events.
"We are sure that we will play here in September," the minister said, noting that CAF's previous concerns centred mainly on the playing surface, which has since been renovated.
The minister also defended the government's decision to prioritise sports infrastructure development, arguing that long-term investment in facilities would yield greater benefits than spending heavily on international competitions without adequate local infrastructure.
On youth employment, he acknowledged that existing programmes are insufficient to meet growing demand but maintained that the government continues to invest in education, skills development, and employment opportunities.
He urged young people to take advantage of available opportunities, stressing that success requires patience, discipline, and hard work.
The minister further revealed that the African Union Sports Council Games, initially expected to be hosted by The Gambia, have been postponed until October due to logistical and administrative reasons.
