By: Madi Senghore
The Gambia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has announced that renovation works at the Independence Stadium are nearing completion, marking a key milestone in the restoration of the country’s main football venue.
In a press release issued in Banjul, the Ministry said final-stage assessments of the stadium pitch will be conducted on Tuesday, 28 April 2026. The exercise will involve the national Under-20 women’s team as part of technical testing led by international pitch consultants.
According to the Ministry, the assessment will evaluate key aspects of the playing surface, including ball movement, traction, and overall safety standards, to ensure compliance with competitive requirements ahead of the stadium’s reopening.
The Ministry stated that the training and testing session will be held behind closed doors due to ongoing works and safety considerations. It added that members of the public and the media will not be granted access to the facility during the exercise.
The Ministry expressed appreciation for the patience of the public throughout the renovation period and said further updates on the official reopening and upcoming activities at the stadium will be communicated in due course.