The committee made the call during a press conference held in Busumbala recently.
“On 18 June 2018, the project was initiated with enthusiasm and commitment between The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and Busumbala community,” Busumbala Youth and Sports Committee recalled, adding the project is aimed at constructing a Mini Stadium in Busumbala.
The president of the Busumbala Youth and Sports Committee, Sulayman Jatta, stated that the press conference was organised to discuss the uncompleted Busumbala Mini Stadium project.
“This project initially envisioned as a beacon of hope for youth development and community engagement was planned for six months,” he said.
We find ourselves six years later with little to show, the project is still in its infancy and the community deserves an answer from the GFF,’’ Jatta pointed out.
Jatta revealed that their collaboration with the GFF has been extensive. “Over the years, we have sent formal letters, made countless phone calls and held multiple meetings with GFF officials.”
Jatta added that some of the most significant meetings took place on 17th October 2020, 10th March 2021, 13th May 2022 and 23rd November 2023.
Jatta stated that during the meetings they put forward their concerns, discussed timelines and regular updates on the progress and management of the project.
“Unfortunately, each meeting seemed to yield more promise than actual results,” Jatta posited.
The first vice president of Busumbala Youth and Sports Committee, Lamin Sanno, revealed that the project was a beacon of hope for the Busumbala people, adding that the football federation’s commitment to develop local sports infrastructure stirred excitement across and beyond.
“For Busumbala Youth and Sports Committees, it signalled a chance to bring new vitality and structure to our local competitions, a foundation for economic growth and meaningful space for our youth to dream, play and grow,” Sanno said.
Jatta expressed his disappointments over the delay of the project, while calling on The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and its stakeholders involved to complete the Busumbala Mini Stadium construction project.
“Currently, with the project in limbo, we are losing the revenue that could benefit the committee, the village and every business in it,” Sanno explained.
According to Sanno, the Busumbala Mini Stadium project is expected to finish in six month but the project is yet to be completed.
Sanno called on the GFF to complete the Busumbala Mini Stadium project before 25th May 2025.
