Minister Badjie was speaking to the National Assembly Select Committee on Tourism, Arts Culture, Youth and Sport about the current status of rehabilitation works at the Independence Stadium and other related sporting activities.
‘‘The rehabilitation works at the Gambia’s Independence Stadium started April 2024 and will last for four months.
‘‘No international matches would be played at the Independence Stadium,’’ the Minister said.
Minister Badjie revealed that key works are progressing at the country’s football arena, adding that they would install a new pumping machine on the pitch and fixing a new LCD scoreboard, media and player tribune.
“A pumping machine at the Independence Stadium was installed in the early 80s and it is not adequate for the new pitch water supply,” adding an additional machine is to be purchased for the second phase.
Minister Badjie revealed that an LCD scoreboard will replace the current scoreboard, adding that media area will be added to VIP section.
The media area will have separate seats with tables and electricity, and a media press conference room.
‘‘The lower part of the VIP section will have a press conference room equipped with modern communication gadgets and reconfigured.
‘‘The media tribune and conference room are two separate facilities’’, minister pointed out.
According to Minister Badjie, creating a bigger space for mixed zone and tunnel, removing the match commissioner's office and the existing tiles in the area is necessary.
‘‘Anti-slippery tiles would replace the current ones that don't comply with CAF requirements.
“The Independence Stadium's exterior would be painted and equally hard and soft landscaping will be done.
‘‘Hard landscaping involves paving the greater part of the stadium outside with slabs, while soft landscaping involves planting Bahama grass and trees near the main board,’’ minister posited.
Minister Badjie pointed that there would be designated parking lots with number separations to ensure proper parking and safety protocols at the Independence Stadium.
He explained that banning the Independence Stadium from hosting matches was not justified by CAF and blamed the Ministry of Youth and Sports for breaking the trust of football enthusiasts in the country.
‘‘Our aim now is to prevent a similar situation from happening again in the future,’’ Minister Badjie said.
