Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The Winners of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) 1st Division, both male and female, as well as the winners of the FF Cup, have yet to receive their prize money more than a month after being officially crowned and handed over sample cheques.
On July 11, 2025, the GFF crowned Real De Banjul Champions of the 1st Division, which is sponsored by Vista Bank and Baluwo.
Shortly after the coronation, the GFF took to their social media handles to inform the public that Real De Banjul went home with a giant trophy, medals and One Million Dalasis (D1, 000,000.00).
“As champions, Real were decorated with a giant trophy, gold medals and a cheque of D1,000,000:00 (one million Dalasis) presented by GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo while runners up Fortune FC went home with D500,000:00 (five hundred thousand dalasis) amd third place Falcons FC got D250,000:00 (two hundred and fifty thousand Dalasis) all sponsored by the Gambia Football Federation and its partners Vista Bank and Baluwo,” GFF Wrote on Facebook.
However, this medium obtained information that the GFF 1st Division Champions have yet to receive their prize money despite getting ready to represent the Gambia at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Club Champions League.
When contacted for confirmation, Willy Abraham, the President of Real De Banjul Football Club declined to confirm whether or not his team received the prize money.
“Why do you want to know whether we receive the money?” Mr. Abraham asked this reporter despite introducing himself to the Real De Banjul President that he is a Journalist.
Mr. Abraham told this medium that he is thinking about the D20 million from CAF not the D1 million from the GFF.
“I am not in the mood to talk about anything negative right now. I only want to talk about positive things because my team is playing in the Champions League. I will share your contact with our communication team they will talk to you about this issue,” Mr. Abraham declined to confirm.
However, despite repeated follow-ups for Mr. Abraham shared his team’s communication officers’ number with this reporter, he did not share it with him.
Berewuleng, Champions of the Women’s 1st Division and FF Cup
On the 29th of June 2025, the Brikama-based club Berewuleng were crowned champions of the women’s 1st Division League.
Like Real De Banjul, Berewuleng were decorated with winners’ medals, a giant trophy and a sample prize money cheque as Champions of the Women’s 1st Division.
“As champions, Berewuleng FC received gold medals, a prestigious trophy, and a prize of D500,000,” GFF wrote on its Facebook page.
The Federation also announced that the Red Scorpions, who finished second behind Berewuleng were rewarded with a cash prize of D250,000 as runners-up, while TMT FC, finishing in third place, received D125,000.
On the 13th of July 2025, Berewuleng were again crowned winners of the FF Cup Winners making them double winners in the 2024/2025 season.
Berewuleng were decorated with winners’ medals, a trophy and a sample prize money cheque as FF Cup Winners.
As the FF Cup Winners, the sample prize money cheque presented to Berewuleng by the GFF is worth D250,000.00.
When contacted to confirm whether his team received the prize for winning the League and FF Cup, Mr. Fakebba Saine, Head Coach of Berewuleng confirmed to this medium that his team has yet to receive the prize money.
“We still don’t receive it,” Mr. Saine confirmed that Berewuleng is yet to receive their prize money despite winning both the League and FF Cup.
Earlier this month, Berewuleng participated in the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Senegal, where they finished third and won the Bronze medal.
When asked whether not receiving prize money from the GFF has negatively affected his team’s preparation for the competition, Mr. Saine responded affirmatively.
“Yes, it seriously affected us. It really affected us,” Mr. Saine told this medium.
Mr. Omar Gaye, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Berewuleng Football Club, also confirmed to this medium that they have yet to receive prize money for winning the GFF Women’s 1st Division League and FF Cup.
“I am calling you to confirm whether your team as the League and FF Cup Winners received their prize money. Because I am made to understand that League Winners both male and female are yet to receive their prize from the GFF,” this reporter asked.
“Yes, that is true we are yet to receive it,” the Acting CEO of Berewuleng Football Club confirmed.
When asked how this affected his team’s preparation for the CAF Champions League Qualification in Senegal, Mr. Gaye said he is currently sick and could not further comment on the issue.
Greater Tomorrow Football Club, Winners of the FF Cup Male Category, Champions Women’s Second Division
On the 20th of July 2025, Greater Tomorrow Football Club was crowned as the winners of the male FF Cup after defeating Today Makes Tomorrow Football Club (TMT).
As the winners of the FF Cup, Greater Tomorrow were decorated with medals, a giant trophy, and a sample cheque as prize money.
“As winners, Greater Tomorrow received a giant trophy, gold medals, and D500,000.00 while TMT FC went home with silver medals and a consolation prize of D300,000.00,” GFF wrote on their Facebook page.
For the female category, Greater Tomorrow Women’s Team clinched the Second Division League to gain promotion to the Women’s First Division next season.
”As champions, Greater Tomorrow FC was decorated with a giant trophy and a cheque amounting to D300,000, while second place Fortune FC, and third place GAF FC got a consolation prize of D150,000 and D100,000, respectively,” GFF wrote on their Facebook page to confirm Greater Tomorrow Women’s Team as Second Division Champions.
When contacted to confirm whether his team received the prize for winning the FF Cup and the Women’s Second Division, Mr. Benjamin Eze, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Tomorrow Football declined to comment on the matter.
“Presently I am out of the country,” Mr. Eze responded when asked whether his team received the prize for winning both the FF Cup and the Women’s Second Division League.
Despite this reporter’s persistence, Mr. Eze declined to comment on the issue.
However, the Gambia Football Federation later confirmed to this medium that the League Winners are yet to receive the prize money.
What is responsible for the delayed payment of prize money to winning teams?
For balance and fair reporting, the GFF was contacted for comments on the issue and Mr. Ismaila Njie, Finance Manager of the GFF explained the reason prize money is still not paid to the teams.
Mr. Njie attributed the delay in payment to the audited report that the Federation submitted to FIFA for approval.
“We have not paid the clubs yet. As you know, the time the Leagues ended, falls with the time we were supposed to expect our remittance. You know, we are giving funding only in January, and in July. But before you get the second phase, both audits must be submitted to FIFA,” Mr. Njie said
Mr. Njie told this medium that the FIFA audit was done, and the Federation just concluded the statutory audit, which he said is now submitted to FIFA.
Mr. Njie said the Federation has completed the requirement by submitting the two audited accounts that were done by FIFA itself. He said the statutory audit was recently concluded and also submitted to FIFA.
“So any time from now we should be able to have our funds to continue meeting our commitment,” Mr. Njie said.
When asked whether the teams cannot be paid without the approval of FIFA, Mr. Njie responded negatively saying ” What I mean is that our remittance from FIFA will only come after the completion of the two audits, which we just concluded.”
When questioned about the GFF’s partnership with Baluwo and Vista Bank as official sponsors of the First Division League, Mr. Njie said people need to understand the difference between comprehensive and partial sponsorships.
Mr. Njie said if the GFF has actual sponsorship that should be at least 60% of the Federation’s budget.
“What we are having right now, yes you can call it sponsorship. But it is more of a supplement as of now. Remember, for a start, we must be able to access this value,” he said.
Mr. Njie further continued that “If the whole male League is D15 million. For example, you are now receiving D1.5 million from Baluo and D2.5 million from Vista Bank, which is like D4 million. So, the deficit of running the League for D11 million comes from our covers, from what we (GFF) get from FIFA or CAF.”
Mr. Njie also attributed the delay in paying prize money to teams to the D63 million loan that the Federation took and is currently paying.
“If you look at our 2023 financial statements, you will see we had a very high loan of D63 million. So, these are all things that will be affecting our inflow,” he said.
Mr. Njie assured that immediately the Federation received its remittances, all the teams would be paid their cash prize.
Mr. Njie is hopeful that before Real De Banjul participates in the CAF Champions League Qualifications, the Federation will be able to pay their cash prize to them.
Baluwo, is partnering with the GFF to sponsor the First Division League with a cash amount of D1.5 million.
Vista Bank is also partnering with the GFF in empowering the First Division League with a cash amount of D2.5 million.
“It is good that you bring the Baluwo and the Vista Bank sponsorships. For the Baluwo, the money goes directly to the clubs. Baluwo forms part of the support for the preparation of clubs. For Baluwo money, each club will receive D50,000. So meaning, if you have 14 full division teams, by 50, that actually gives you D900,000,” he said
He said that after each team received D50,000 from the Baluwo sponsorship money, approximately D600,000 is left for the logistics and other activities.
“And for Vista, it is D2.5 million. Which was actually earmarked for the cash prize. But like you said, if you have your money in January, and the League ends around June, July. Definitely, your cash flow runs out,
