President Barrow on Friday, October 14th received the newly elected executive of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in his capacity as the Chief Patron of the Football Federation.
He urged the new executive to be tolerant and unite all stakeholders, including their opponents. “It is strength to engage through an interface, even if we don’t see things the same way,” he stated.
The Gambian leader said football is everybody’s business suggesting the GFF should take football as a business and search for innovative ways of financing it.
President Barrow assured the new GFF Executive of his government’s support, saying people expect them to do more. He urged them to invest in young footballers. He informed them that despite the challenges, his administration is committed to empowering Gambians.
The newly elected President of GFF, Lamin Bajo, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and for the President’s support. “Despite competing priorities, the government has demonstrated support and political will”, he stated, acknowledging that they also they enjoy the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council.
Speaking on the GFF plans, the First Vice President, Bakary Jammeh, said they mirror the government to be more transparent, and that they are optimistic of success with the support and collaboration of the government. He noted their plan to decentralise football to build a national team with a national character.
On the sustainability of football in the country, the Second Vice President of the GFF, Ebou Faye, revealed that they want to move football from being a leisure game to a professional one by uplifting the clubs. He added that football is expensive, but that by investing in it, they could create job opportunities for the youth.
Source: State House
