Highlighting what it described as “unprecedented strides” in infrastructure, youth development, and international representation, the federation pointed to new football facilities, grassroots programs, and increased participation in continental competitions as evidence of progress.
The GFF maintained that GALA’s accusations not only undermine the federation’s achievements but also misled the public about the challenges of building sustainable football structures in The Gambia.
Below reads an excerpt of the release:
“Lack of diversity and inclusivity in the GFF’s leadership and representation which have cast a dark shadow over the integrity of Gambia football:
This is yet another manifestation of the petitioners’ lack of understanding of the GFF, and disrespect to its Constitution and members.
While I do not think this claim requires any reaction, allow me to inform that the GFF is guided by a constitution which was adopted by her members and approved by both FIFA and CAF.
In terms of inclusivity, let the petitioners understand that the federation belongs to its members, and it is heartening to announce that no such claim has EVER been made by any member.
Instead, the current leadership is hailed by members for recently increasing the number of female representatives in the executives committee from two to five, and ensuring through a recent constitutional amendment that the President of the Women’s Football Association becomes an automatic member of the executive committee of the federation.
At the secretariat, the number of women has not only increased significantly, but they are holding leadership positions therein. A few examples are: the head of the Women’s Football Unit and her deputy are women, the head of HR and Marketing are women, both communications department and IT units have women amongst them.
Equally, the head of Marketing/Commercial at the football hotel is also woman. Same goes to the number of women in the technical staff of the various categories of women’s national teams, match commissioners, etc.
Over the years, various awareness and capacity-building initiatives have been implemented, significantly reducing the capacity gap in women’s football. There has been an increase in women’s football teams with an increase in the player pool. Regional third-division leagues have been introduced in all regions, along with financial and material support for women’s teams.
The Fatim Jawara Initiative, an empowerment project, was launched to honor the memory of the late former Gambia and Red Scorpions’ goalkeeper, who died en route to Europe. The foregoing despite, we are troubled by the vague claims, without any evidence or proof.
Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure remains a significant obstacle to the rapid growth of football in the country. This has been our biggest challenge over the past years. Though not our primary responsibility, the Executive Committee has been utilizing some of the FIFA Forward Development Support to gradually upgrade existing football pitches used for the national leagues in Banjul, Brikama, Serrekunda East, Manjai, Brikama, Serrekunda West, Gunjur, Busumbala, NTTC, and to improve the Bakau Football Pitch and complete the Soma Pavilion, which was started earlier.
Additionally, the GFF continues to enhance the state of existing Football Pitchs, also steps are being taken to build five regional fields in the provinces, and the construction of a swimming pool at the Football Hotel has been completed and is now operational.
GALA’s allegation of gross mismanagement and embezzlement of funds is not based on any established facts, but rather mere perception, misinformation and maybe a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. Nonetheless, we can confidently state that the REAL Members of the GFF have a completely different view of the situation.
The insinuation that the what GFF reported to FIFA about the projects is different from what prevails on the ground is laughable. The petitioners need to understand how FIFA funded projects are implemented and the control and supervisory measures that are in place. Further details about the respective infrastructure projects could be found further down in this document.
After assessing these grounds, we are pleased to announce that FIFA has officially closed our Forward 2.0 project, having expressed satisfaction after a series of engagements and physical inspections. The following Football Pitchs have been delivered:
Banjul Football Pitch – this project includes the improvement of the Pavilions, reconstruction of the perimeter fence, replacement of the artificial turf, improvement of Dressing Rooms, and construction of public toilets. All these have been achieved, and the project has since been closed.
The main setback in the project was the artificial turf. The quality of the turf supplied by Coach Investments the supplier was below standard. The state of the turf was worsened by the over usage of the facility. The floodlights project suffered the same fate due to error in the specifications of the lamps during the drawing of the project. It was later discovered that the recommended Lux capacity of the lamps fell short of the minimum required for official matches. We are working with FIFA to have the lights upgraded in a subsequent project during the upcoming Forward 4.0.
Brikama Box Bar Football Pitch - replacement of the artificial turf, expansion of the playing area, reconstruction of the perimeter fence, construction of public toilets and renovation and expansion of the Dressing Rooms.
This project did not include pavilions. The claim that the artificial turf is not satisfactory is far from the truth. Let them ask the beneficiary community and clubs that use it. Like in other sites, the floodlights which the GFF installed there were found to be of a lesser capacity, which we admitted was a result of an error at the design stage.
