Sport - Gunjur, The Gambia - Gunjur's passionate football community, particularly its youth, is raising serious concerns about accountability and transparency from the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) under the leadership of President Lamin Kaba Bajo.
Their call for accountability has been amplified by the recent announcement by Gunjur Sports Committee of the sponsorship of the Super Cup Final by GFF President, Bajo, an event that brought excitement to local football as the official start of the local Nawettan season, but also raises frustrations over unresolved issues regarding the unfinished Gunjur Mini Stadium.
Sponsorship Amid Unfinished Mini Stadium
While the sponsorship of the Super Cup Final by the GFF President is welcomed by some, others view it as a temporary distraction from a larger, unresolved problem - the failure to complete the Gunjur Mini Stadium to acceptable standards. The stadium project, once seen as a significant boost for football in the town, remains incomplete, and the work that has been done has been widely criticized for its poor quality.
Local football enthusiasts had hoped the Gunjur Mini Stadium would be a space for talent development and community engagement, with facilities that would allow them to compete at higher levels and host important matches. However, several years after its initiation, the mini stadium is far from the standard expected and promised by the GFF. This has led to frustration and disappointment among the youth, who feel that their ambitions are being sidelined.
"Operation Back To Nyamina Football Field"
The stalling of the construction works at the mini stadium has prompted a group of young people organising themselves as "Concern Sports Lovers Gunjur" to take matters into their own hands by doing everything they can to return football matches to the Nyamina Football Field after six years. The group organises cleaning exercises at the grounds as well as mobilising funds and resources for the construction of toilet facilities at the football ground.
Growing Frustration and Calls for Accountability
The Super Cup Final, despite its celebratory atmosphere, is now being targeted as a platform for Gunjur’s youth to renew their calls for transparency and accountability from the GFF. They argue that while sponsorship of events like the Super Cup can generate temporary excitement, it does little to address the systemic issues plaguing football development in their town. Chief among these concerns is the state of the Mini Stadium and the funds allocated for its construction.
Speaking to Gunjuronline Sport, a keen football fan expressed his concerns: “We appreciate the gesture of Kaba Bajo sponsoring the final, but we can’t ignore the fact that our mini stadium is incomplete and poorly built. The GFF needs to be transparent about what happened with the funds meant for our stadium. Football is not just about one event - it’s about having the proper infrastructure to support our players year-round."
Commenting on the news of GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo sponsoring the Super Cup Final, a prominent member of “Concern Sports Lovers of Gunjur”, Ahmad Gizza Sanyang wrote: “Let Kaba keep his money we have a pending project with over six yrs now and he want to play trick on us by trying to so called sponsored our super cup Kaba is where is our mini stadium why it is not complete since 2018 answer us”(sic)
Also showing his frustration and disappointment at GFF with regards to the state of the Nyamina Football Field (Gunjur Mini Stadium), one Alhagie Darboe commented:
“Kaba and his group of goons (GFF) already owed us an explanation as to why our field isn't completed until now....Now he comes with the idea of sponsoring our super cup to mute us....It's not gonna happen Mr Barjo....Lamin Siya your think he can out smart all the youths here"(sic).
However, Lamin Bada Bojang looks at the sponsorship of the Super Cup Final from another perspective. He wrote in the Gunjur Sports Development WhatsApp group:
“It's a good thing that Kabba is sponsoring our Super Cup. Nna brother, this is a win for us. We should celebrate. It is a testament to the power of our operation back to the Nyamina drive at all cost.If we have never made noise and back that by actions, this would never have transpired.
So let us jubilate.We have a project to finish so let us not be distracted.
Our approach of action is ground breaking and that is evident Alhamdullilah.
See you all soon at the continuation of the project.
Forward Ever
Backward Never”
Unmet Promises and Poor Standards"
The Gunjur Mini Stadium, a long-awaited project, was supposed to serve as a key pillar of football development in the sprawling coastal settlement. However, the current state of the stadium reflects what many locals believe is a mismanagement of funds and resources. Instead of a modern facility, the community has been left with a subpar structure that lacks the basic amenities such as a pavilion, changing rooms and toilet facilities needed to foster football at a competitive level.
The youth argue that the GFF, as the governing body responsible for overseeing football development across the country, should be held accountable for the poor execution of the project. Many feel that the funds designated for the stadium's completion have not been utilised effectively, and they are calling for a thorough audit and transparency in the allocation of resources.
Demands for Transparency and Reform
The youth of Gunjur have put forth several demands as they call for greater accountability from the GFF and its leadership. Chief among these are:
- Transparency in the use of funds: The Gunjur Mini Stadium project is funded by FIFA with the expectation that it would be completed to a professional standard. The community wants a clear breakdown of how the funds were spent and why the project remains unfinished.
- Completion of the Mini Stadium: The youth demand that the GFF prioritise the completion of the stadium to the standards originally promised, ensuring that it becomes a functional space for local football development.
- Long-term investment in infrastructure: Beyond one-off events like the Super Cup Final, the youth are calling for sustained investment in football infrastructure in Gunjur and other regions, ensuring that young players have the facilities they need to grow and compete.
The Future of Gunjur Football
Football remains a vital part of Gunjur's identity and culture, and the community’s young players are determined to see their town thrive as a center for football excellence. However, they believe that this vision can only be achieved if the GFF and its leadership commit to transparency and accountability.
The sponsorship of the Super Cup Final, while appreciated by some, is seen by many as an insufficient gesture in light of the larger, unresolved issues. The youth of Gunjur are not asking for temporary fixes, but for meaningful reforms that ensure that local football projects are completed to a high standard and that funds are used responsibly.
The announcement by GSC that GFF President Kaba Bajo is to sponsor the Super Cup Final has brought attention to the unresolved controversy surrounding the Gunjur Mini Stadium. The youth are using this moment to push for greater accountability from the GFF and President Kaba Bajo, seeking the completion of the stadium and a brighter future for football in their town. Their calls for transparency and reform serve as a reminder that football development must go beyond sponsorships and events, focusing instead on the lasting infrastructure needed to support future generations.
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