Essa Faal Calls Gambia’s Stadium Crisis a ‘National Disgrace,’ Pledges Investment in Youth Football

By Seedy Jobe

The leader of the APP-Sobeya party, Essa Mbye Faal, criticized The Gambia’s deteriorating football infrastructure over the weekend, describing the country’s inability to maintain a stadium capable of hosting international matches as “a national disgrace” and promising increased investment in youth sports if elected president.

Speaking at the final of the Tallinding Buffer Zone Sports Committee’s “Noran” competition, Faal praised organizers for promoting grassroots football, arguing that community tournaments play a vital role in developing young talent and creating opportunities for Gambian youth.

“For many, football is fun. For many, football is therapy. For many, football is a dream. For many, it is their future. So we should not take football lightly,” Faal told spectators.

Faal said the country’s prolonged inability to rehabilitate a stadium that meets international standards reflected a broader failure of national leadership. The Gambia’s national football team has been forced to host international fixtures outside the country for several years because its home venues have not met Confederation of African Football requirements.

“For an entire country to go four or five years without repairing a stadium is a national disgrace,” he said, describing the situation as “a big calamity” that should concern both the government and ordinary citizens.

Turning to politics ahead of the December presidential election, Faal urged Gambians to judge candidates on their policies rather than short-term incentives offered during campaigns. He noted that he was the only political leader attending the tournament’s final and used the occasion to outline his plans for the sport.

“If you entrust me with the country, football will change in The Gambia. We will invest in football,” he said.

Faal said his administration would ensure that funds allocated to football are spent on developing the sport rather than being diverted elsewhere. He argued that sustained investment in youth sports would create opportunities for young Gambians and contribute to national development.

He said his broader vision is to restore hope among the country’s youth by expanding opportunities at home and, in his words, “bring back the smiles to the Smiling Coast.”