The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Thursday 28th February, 2019, signed formal contracts with construction and electrical companies for the award of football fields’ development and upgrading of its facilities across the country.
The ceremony was held at Football House and attended by Executive Committee Members, the contractors, beneficiaries and the consultant Fenta Consultant and Architect. The works will see the installation of LCD lighting and ancillary facilities at the Banjul, Brikama, Serrekunda East and West Mini Stadiums. There will be the development of new Mini Stadiums in Gunjur, Busumbala and Football Hotel (NTTC) with the provision of ground pitches and modern state-of-the-art pavilions in each of the three grounds. There will also be a modern swimming pool to be built at the Football Hotel with an outside serving area as well as upgrading of the Serrekunda East, West and Manjai Mini Stadiums with the construction of new grass pitches in each of the stadias.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Vice President of the GFF, Mr. Bakary K. Jammeh, who doubles as the GFF’s Projects’ Manager said the vision of the current Gambia football leadership is to develop all aspects of football in the country. He said, currently, the country is lacking behind, especially in terms of infrastructure, technical development and capacity building and thus the GFF kept on approaching FIFA culminating in the signing of the grand contracts to develop new pitches and upgrade others. Mr. Jammeh, however, cautioned that FIFA set very stringent rules and guidelines in its projects, which calls for a lot of paper work and sometimes delay in the process and payments.
“As per the rules [of the procurement regulations), we have gone through a very normal process by hiring a consultant in Fenta Consultant and Architect, who we have a contract with to manage the projects on our behalf and they did an open bidding. We are grateful for the trust and confidence [you have in us] and we have no doubt that Fenta has chosen the right people under the right conditions,” he affirmed. “We cannot compromise quality but we have no doubt in your abilities and capabilities.”
Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo, the President of the GFF said the Federation’s main source of funding is through FIFA and with the FIFA Forward 2.0 programme, Football House has assigned itself to upgrade and build new stadiums in the country. He emphasised the need for quality and timely completion of the projects as important to the Federation.
‘’Good pitches lead to good performances and bad pitches lead to bad performance. The lighting components will help us to maximise the fields we have and the sooner we have them delivered, the better because closing grounds has a serious strain on us,” he said. Mr. Bajo noted that FIFA in the past insists a lot on total transfer of the grounds before development can take place but because the world football governing body has realised that it has always been a controversial and contentious issue, they were able to convince them to limit to the signing of an MoU with the ground owners this time, with utmost priority to GFF activities. He reassured the ground owners that they would be very much involve and be part of the implementation process of these projects.
Mr. Baboucarr Samega Janneh of Fenta Architect and Consultancy explained the processes that were involved in realising this day, while Mr. Elliot of Gambia Electrical, who spoke on behalf of the contractors, thanked the GFF for the faith in them and assured that with over 43 years’ experience in the area of electrical engineering, they will deliver a good job within the specified time frame.
Mr. Modou O. Njie, the President of the Serrekunda East Sports Organisation thanked the GFF for delivering on such a huge promise. He said last year, Serrekunda East was among the selected Mini Stadiums that had their perimeter fences, dressing rooms and water boreholes done through the GFF, and thus it is safe to say that Gambian football is in capable hands and in the right footing. “We knew, understand, and respect what you are doing and took you for your word and thank God you have delivered once again. We will also make sure that your investment is taken care of.”