By: Fatou Krubally
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie has confirmed that funding has been secured for the long-awaited rehabilitation of the KG5 Mini-Stadium in Banjul, with implementation to be managed by Gamworks.
Speaking during Wednesday’s National Assembly sitting, Minister Badjie told lawmakers that the project had been handed over to Gamworks, a state agency with a proven track record in building public infrastructure, to ensure timely and quality delivery. He added that bidding for the contract was already underway and would close on June 30.
The rehabilitation of the KG5 Mini-Stadium, located in the heart of the capital, was one of the pledges made by President Adama Barrow during his 2024 Meet the People tour, following persistent appeals by Banjul stakeholders and sports enthusiasts.
Responding to a supplementary question from the Member for Banjul South, who asked whether the facility would be upgraded to CAF standards to ease pressure on the Independence Stadium, Minister Badjie said such a goal was unlikely. He explained that CAF requirements were extensive and costly, making it difficult for facilities like KG5 to qualify without total reconstruction.
“Even if you have $100 million, you may still struggle to meet CAF standards,” Badjie noted. However, he said that national and league level matches would soon be decentralized to regional mini-stadiums like Serekunda East, Serekunda West, and KG5 to reduce dependence on the Independence Stadium.
On funding sources, the minister clarified that the project was not financed through the government’s Local Fund (GLF), but through internal government fundraising. He said contributions were also being made by state-owned enterprises such as the Gambia Ports Authority and Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation.
Lawmakers raised concerns about past contractor failures in similar projects. Minister Badjie acknowledged the issues but assured that Gamworks’ involvement would improve accountability and efficiency.
The minister further explained that, under the Local Government Act, municipal councils were primarily responsible for managing community sports facilities. However, due to resource constraints at the council level, central government support remains crucial.
The KG5 stadium rehabilitation is expected to improve grassroots sports infrastructure in the capital and strengthen support for local football development.
About the Author
