Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Monday officially handed over a new football pitch and dressing rooms at the Nyakoi Mini Stadium to the Upper River Regional Football Association (URRFA).
The facility, funded by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by GFF officials, representatives from the Saudi Embassy, regional authorities, and other stakeholders.
In his inaugural speech, GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo acknowledged the community of Nyakoi Kerewan for donating land for the project, and praised the URRFA, Village Development Committee (VDC), and other stakeholders for their contributions. “This project gives renewed hope to young people of Nyakoi Kerewan in particular and the Upper River Region as a whole,” he said, thanking the contractor and consultant for their work.
Mr. Bajo paid tribute to the late Furu Gomez for securing the land and urged stakeholders to ensure proper management of the facility.
H.E Halit Al Ousain, representing the Saudi Ambassador and Saudi Arabia Football Federation, expressed gratitude for witnessing the inauguration. He commended the URRFA and local community for the warm reception, and expressed hope that players from the region would one day compete in the Saudi League. He assured continued support from the Saudi Embassy and Football Federation.
Deputising for the Minister of Youth and Sports, Executive Director of the National Sports Council Mahmud Lamin Jawla said the project aligns with the National Sports Policy, which emphasizes sports infrastructure. He praised the GFF for expanding football access nationwide and thanked the Saudi FA for funding the project, urging the community to make full use of the facility.
GFF First Vice President Bakary K. Jammeh said Monday marked the formal handover of the project’s first phase, which will eventually evolve into a fully functional mini stadium. He noted that similar projects are planned in Kwinella, NTTC (Old Yundum), Bansang, and Kuntair.
Deputy Governor of the Upper River Region Lamin Jaiteh described the inauguration as “the realisation of a dream” and pledged close collaboration with the URRFA and other stakeholders to maintain the facility.
Alkalo of Nyakoi Kerewan, Kaira, welcomed the initiative and commended GFF President Bajo for his vision, urging other public officials to emulate his leadership.
URRFA President Masanneh Jawara described the project as a historic milestone, noting it is the first grass pitch in the region. He highlighted that local teams previously played on sandy pitches, putting them at a disadvantage in regional qualifiers. He announced plans to form a management committee to oversee the facility.
URR Sports Committee Chairman Alagie Muya Baldeh urged the community to maximize the use of the new infrastructure.
The ceremony concluded with GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo cutting the ribbon, followed by a tour of the facility, amid celebrations by cultural groups and local residents.
