Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- The Gambia Football Federation is currently facing financial negotiations with their Kenyan counterparts as they prepare for the scorpions’ World Cup qualifier against Burundi. The GFF recently made the decision to host the scorpions’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Burundi in Kenya, due to the unavailability of the Independence stadium. However, this has been met with a whopping twenty- nine thousand dollars ($29) price charge by Kenya to host the game, which includes the use of a stadium and other logistical costs. This decision has come at a high cost for the Gambia and according to the GFF’s Communication Director Baboucarr Camara, The Gambia is working to negotiate a more reasonable price in order to successfully host their home game and continue their journey in the World Cup qualifiers.
‘’We are currently negotiating with our Kenyan counterparts to see how best they can beat down the price, Camara told the Gambia Journal. ‘’The GFF President is also engaging his Kenyan counterpart at a personal level for a mutual understanding. I am sure Kenya will consider our request, Camara explained.
The Gambia will face Kenya on September 1 and then host Burundi on September 5 in the World Cup qualifiers.
FAN REACTIONS
However, some scorpion’s fans have expressed their mixed feelings towards the news that the national team will be playing their home game away in Kenya for the World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso. Despite the disappointment, Abdoulie Gaye, a scorpion fan understand the necessity of the renovation and hope it will improve the stadium for future games. ‘’At this point we have no option than to understand the situation of our stadium, he says. I hope that the renovation will be done soon so that we can all fill the stadium up for our boys.’’
For Pa Saikou Jagne, he is worried about the impact on the team’s performance and the lack of home field advantage. ‘’I am really worried about the lack of support our boys continue to endure during these very important games. Whether we accept it or not, the home support plays a huge role especially in games like this.’’
The National Sports Council Update On Stadium Pitch Upgrading
The National Sports Council (NSC) wishes to provide clarifications regarding the planned upgrading of the Stadium’s hybrid pitch, following recent public discussions around the project.
The NSC acknowledges an ongoing process to hire a foreign company through a subcontractor arrangement that meets requirements of our procurement laws to assist in upgrading and maintain the pitch. The NSC however emphasizes that the hybrid pitch installed at the beginning of the stadium remodeling remains in place and has never been removed, nor is the foreign company going to re-install a new pitch, as has been speculated. Their mandate focuses on:
- Supplying specialised maintenance equipment which are not available in the country.
2. Rehabilitating the existing pitch, treating fungal infections, and correcting uneven surfaces (conditions that were as a result of lack of proper equipment and skilled personnel to carry our required routine functions as would be of a hybrid pitch).
3. Training local staff on proper pitch upkeep techniques, including operation of the new machinery. The contractor, upon completing the above primary assignment, will remain in The Gambia for two months to ensure full knowledge transfer and capacity building among local staff.
“The NSC acknowledges past challenges in pitch maintenance and the Ministry has introduced robust measures to prevent similar issues in the future,” said NSC Communications and PR Manager, Sara Camara. “By prioritising equipment procurement and staff training, we aim to ensure sustainable, long-term care of the pitch without reliance on external expertise.”
