By Omar Jatta

The Gambia Football Federation has kept up its promise to render financial support to the top two league clubs in the Gambia with the presentation of a cheque of 1.5 million dalasis, on Wednesday 14th February 2018.

The cheque which was presented by the Federation’s president, Lamin Kabba Bajo at a presentation ceremony held at the Federation Secretariat in Kanifing, is the second disbursement of the financial aid that was promised to the clubs before the start of the season at the Federations pre-season stakeholders meeting back in October last year. Each of the teams in both the Male and Female First Divisions received D50,000:00, while Second Division teams in both categories also received D30,000: 00 each. These comes on top of the first instalments disbursed at the beginning of the season, where both clubs involved, received a total amount of 2.6 million dalasis. The third and final instalment is expected to be effected soon.

In his address before the presentation, which was chaired by the recently appointed GFF secretary General, Lamin Jassey, Bajo, described the support channel as an ‘obligation’ hence it was a promise they had already made.

“As you prepare for the second round of matches in the League, we are obliged to fulfil our earlier promise and today is another day for us to present the second instalment of money while we grave your indulgence and patience for the next disbursement which would be effected sooner rather than later”, Bajo told the gathering, which include the media and club representatives.”

The GFF President also shared their concerns about the plight of the league clubs in the country, whose biggest challenge, he said, is the lack of resources at their disposal. According to him, a lot of constraints are been confronted which impedes the speedy growth of the clubs.

“The hardship that is faced by clubs in the Gambia is daunting and as such we as a federation have a moral and primary responsibility to organize a League and make it functional”. He revealed that FIFA, whom he said proves hundred percent of GFF’s funding, maintain that no member federation would have access to funds from the global football governing body without organizing a functional league.

Mr Bajo also assured clubs that the GFF will continue to support their programs as a major preoccupation for the Football House while reminding the stakeholders to make proper and judicious use of the funds for what it is intended for.

Finally, Bajo also told the gathering of their plans and commitment to introduce a professional football league in the country.

“We pledged to also introduce a professional league in the future but it is our responsibility to strengthen our league system both technical and administration which could be a step towards reaching that aim,” he said.

The Federation’s new Secretary General, Lamin M Jassey also thanked the Football federation for the laudable initiative describing the GFF’s initiative as ‘easing the burden on the clubs’. He said one of the primary aims of the Federation is to promote and develop football and as such called on the club owners to take their participatory stands in the development of football in the country. Mr Jassey said the GFF must be praised for the tremendous efforts injected into the improvement of clubs’ management for their ‘effectiveness and efficiency’.

Also present was the Head of the Super Nawettan Committee, Rtd Lieutenant General Lang Tombong Tamba, who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the club managers. Mr Tamba commended the GFF for the kind gesture and said it is beffiting to salute the GFF for the big milestone. “Clubs are supported by many but financially by few,” said the former General, who assured the GFF on behalf of his colleagues that the monies would be properly utilized for the purpose it is meant for while further reassuring the them of their unflinching support and cooperation with the leadership at all times.

Report Source: GFF Page.