After years of neglect and failed attempts by the Gambia football federation to renovate the Banjul mini stadium, Gambian President Adama Barrow has made a promise to personally oversee its renovation. This comes after the federation spent over six (6) million dalasi to renovate the stadium, only to leave it in a state of disrepair.
It could be recalled that in 2019, The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) signed a contract with ES Technology and Construction to renovate the Banjul mini stadium. This contract included the installation of a new artificial playing field and other rehabilitation work, as part of the federation’s infrastructural development plan. However, despite spending millions of dalasis on the project, it has failed to meet expectations and has been deemed a failure. This has raised concerns about the accountability and effectiveness of the GFF’s infrastructural development efforts.
President Barrow’s commitment to this project has been met with excitement and hope from the President of the Banjul Sports Committee Momodou Musa Njie. ‘’When nearly all hopes have faded away over having a standard playing surface for The people of the Capital, we knocked on your doors and you swiftly responded, Njie commends the President. ‘’Giving orders to relevant authorities in your government to swiftly raise a substantial fund for a massive renovation project of the KG5 Park. With most of the required standards procedures already in place, and an imminent signing ceremony with the contractor.’’
‘’On behalf of the Banjul Sports Committee, the youths of Banjul and by extension the community of Banjul, we are saying a big thank you to you for yet another prominent infrastructural development in Banjul. This renovated park will go a long way in helping promote sports and help shape up future prominent athletes of the capital and The Gambia at large. It will also erase the unwanted tag of a Capital without a standard football field. For this Sir, we are eternally grateful to you and your government, Njie stated.
