Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Muhammad BS Jallow, has officially launched the Biri-Biri Initiative on Sports and Tourism, a national program aimed at honoring the legacy of legendary Gambian footballer Alhaji Momodou Njie, popularly known as Biri-Biri, while leveraging sports as a driver of tourism development.
Speaking at the launch, Vice President Jallow described the initiative as both a tribute and a forward-looking development strategy.
“It is my singular honor to formally launch the ‘Biri-Biri Initiative on Sports and Tourism’ with the aim to celebrate the genius of the pioneering and legendary Gambian footballer, the late Alhaji Momodou Njie Biri-Biri; to inspire generations of youths to pursue patriotic endeavors and professional excellence; and to leverage the Biri-Biri legacy to expand and enhance sports and tourism development,” he said.
VP Jallow explained that the idea for the initiative took shape following a United Nations summit held in Seville, Spain—the city where Biri-Biri played professional football and remains a celebrated figure. He noted that GK Partners facilitated a Gambian delegation’s visit to Sevilla Football Club, including technical meetings with the club’s leadership.
According to the vice president, subsequent engagements coordinated in partnership with the Office of the Vice President led to the formal design of the initiative to commemorate Biri-Biri’s life and achievements.
Reflecting on the football icon’s passing, VP Jallow recalled that he had the solemn responsibility of awarding Biri-Biri the posthumous honor of Grand Commander of the Order of The Gambia (GCRG) during his funeral in 2020.
“Today, I am pleased to announce to the nation and the international community that the refurbished Independence Stadium will be renamed the ‘Biri-Biri Stadium,’” VP Jallow declared. “May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy live forevermore.”
GFF President Welcomes the Initiative
Reacting to the launch, the President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo, described the initiative as one that goes far beyond football.
“Alhaji Momodou Njie, commonly known as Biri-Biri, was more than just a footballer. He was a pioneer, a patriot, and a peerless ambassador of The Gambia,” Mr. Bajo said. “From the dusty grounds of Banjul to the grand arenas of Europe—most notably at Sevilla FC, where he is still adored and celebrated—his legacy endures.”
Mr. Bajo revealed that, as part of efforts to preserve Biri-Biri’s memory, the GFF has already named a proposed mini stadium at the National Technical Training Centre (NTTC) after him. He added that construction of the facility is expected to resume later this year.
He further noted that Biri-Biri’s trailblazing career in European football paved the way for later Gambian stars, including Modou Barrow, who played in the English Premier League with Swansea City, and Dawda Bah, who featured in the German Bundesliga with FC Augsburg.
Steve Trawally Hails Legacy Preservation
Gambian international footballer and owner of BST Galaxy Football Club, Bubacarr Steve Trawally, also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and meaningful intervention.
“The theme for this year’s forum, ‘Enhancing Participation in the Productive Sectors,’ is timely and crucial,” Trawally said. “I am particularly excited about the launch of the ‘Biri-Biri Initiative on Sports and Tourism,’ which recognizes the immense, often untapped, potential within our sports sector, especially football.”
He said the initiative offers a clear pathway to align The Gambia’s football ambitions with its national development agenda, while celebrating a figure whose patriotism was unquestionable.
“From Biri-Biri’s national team debut at the age of 16 to his retirement in 1987, his career was a testament to unwavering love for The Gambia,” Trawally said. “In honoring his memory, I am proud to announce that BST Galaxy FC will name our new football complex after him, ensuring that his legacy lives on with us forever”.
