By Fatou Sillah
The President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Lamin Kaba Bajo, has voiced serious concerns over the inadequate funding allocated for the national football team ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Speaking in an interview on Coffee Time, Bajo revealed that the government approved only D20 million from a D59 million budget request submitted by the federation, leaving a significant financial gap that has hampered the team’s preparations.
“The total budget for September was around 24 million, and we got 10 million for this current window. Our budget is about 29 million, and we received 10 million. There’s always this huge deficit, and it makes it very difficult anytime we are set to play international matches,” Bajo explained.
He noted that the funding shortfall has affected several key areas, including player allowances, logistics, and operational expenses. The GFF president also highlighted the high cost of travel and accommodation, pointing out that air tickets alone can amount to nearly D13 million.
He explained that the persistent financial difficulties have compelled the federation to divert funds from other operational areas and seek external support to fulfill its obligations.
“Anytime we are set to play international matches at the level of the Senior National Team, we get down because we don’t know what’s going to happen with finance,” He Said.
Bajo added that the costs of hosting matches abroad, transportation, and other essential logistics are all drawn from the federation’s already limited budget, posing a major challenge to their operations.
He further revealed that the national team is currently owed four to five match bonuses, attributing the delay to the government’s inadequate budget allocation. The shortfall, he noted, has forced the federation to constantly readjust its financial plans to sustain team preparations and player welfare.