By Fatou Sillah
The newly elected president of the Gambia Football Federation, Kemo Ceesay, says the organization must develop new sources of revenue and reduce its dependence on funding from international and continental football bodies.
Mr. Ceesay said strengthening the federation’s finances would be among his priorities as he takes office, arguing that additional revenue would allow the GFF to expand football development programs and better support clubs, regional associations, and other affiliates.
“We cannot only depend on FIFA, CAF, and WAF support,” Mr. Ceesay said. “There should be another source of income for the football federation that will help us to be able to implement a lot of programs in the country.”
His comments come as the new GFF leadership begins assessing the federation’s finances and determining how to fund its ambitions for Gambian football.
Mr. Ceesay, who previously served as the federation’s director of finance, said the GFF should focus on expanding its revenue base before concentrating on expenditure. He said the federation could also review its financial manual and other policy documents to align them better with its operations.
He said the GFF’s accounts department already had strong financial controls, based on his experience working within the department, but argued that long-term financial sustainability would depend largely on the federation’s ability to generate more income.
According to Mr. Ceesay, his team has already explored several potential revenue streams that could supplement funding received from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, and the West African Football Union.
He did not provide details about the proposed revenue sources but said increasing the federation’s income could also help address financial challenges facing regional football structures, clubs, and affiliated associations.
The financial difficulties confronting clubs and regional bodies have long complicated efforts to develop football at the grassroots and domestic levels. Mr. Ceesay said a stronger financial position would give the federation greater capacity to assist those organizations and implement more programs nationwide.
He also signaled plans to make changes to the management of the federation’s bank accounts and financial responsibilities.
Mr. Ceesay said the GFF’s finance director should play a direct role in financial operations and serve as a signatory to the federation’s bank accounts. The general secretary, he said, would remain the federation’s budget holder.
The precise arrangement for authorized bank signatories will be determined at the first meeting of the new executive committee, he said.
Mr. Ceesay described the changes as part of a broader set of early reforms that he intends to discuss with members of his executive team and begin implementing after formally taking office.
The proposals represent an early indication of the direction of Mr. Ceesay’s administration, with financial sustainability emerging as a central part of his plans to expand football development and strengthen the federation’s support for its members.
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