Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The owner and chief executive officer of BST Galaxy Football Club, Bubacarr Steve Trawally, has disclosed that the club has professionally transferred 17 young Gambian footballers abroad within three years of its establishment, underscoring the need for sustained investment in football development.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Ninth Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF9), Trawally said BST Galaxy FC, which competes in the Gambian National League, was founded with a clear focus on talent development and creating pathways for young players to pursue professional careers.
“As the CEO of BST Galaxy Football Club, I am heavily investing in developing Gambian talent and creating opportunities for young players to play professional football. It has been three years since the team was founded, and so far we have professionally transferred 17 players,” he said.
Trawally stressed that football, when properly developed, carries significant economic value beyond entertainment. He noted that the sport has the potential to generate employment for coaches, medical personnel, administrators, media professionals, and other support staff.
According to him, football, when combined with sports tourism, can stimulate local businesses and contribute meaningfully to national revenue generation.
He called on all stakeholders—including government institutions, the private sector, and the Gambian diaspora—to play an active role in transforming football and other productive sectors.
“Your expertise, resources, and commitment are invaluable in building a brighter future for the Gambian football sector and for national development as a whole,” he told participants.
The forum, held under the theme “Enhancing Participation in the Productive Sectors,” was organised by GK Partners in collaboration with the Office of the President and was presided over by the Vice President.
Trawally urged a shift in how football is perceived in The Gambia, arguing that it should be treated as a strategic economic sector.
“For too long, we have viewed football primarily as entertainment or a social activity. The global football industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise driven by innovation, data, and technology. It is a productive sector ripe for investment, capable of creating jobs, driving tourism, and inspiring national pride,” he said.
He further described Gambian professional footballers as vital assets in the country’s pursuit of sustainable development, noting that their financial contributions support livelihoods while their success abroad encourages improvements in local sports infrastructure.
“It is our collective responsibility to champion these efforts and leverage the power of sports for national transformation. One of the most significant contributions is the remittances sent home by Gambian players competing in professional leagues abroad, particularly in Europe. This flow of foreign currency helps lift families out of poverty and strengthens the local economy,” Trawally added.
