By: Madi Senghore
Presidential candidate Sadibou Kamaso has unveiled a wide-ranging football development agenda under his 16 May 2026 manifesto, promising reforms aimed at professionalizing the domestic game, improving player welfare, and increasing financial incentives across all competitions.
At the center of the proposals is a plan to introduce a fully professional football structure that would guarantee formal contracts for players and technical staff, alongside the establishment of minimum wage standards within the sport.
Kamaso said the reforms are intended to improve financial stability, competitiveness, and working conditions for football stakeholders in The Gambia.
A major feature of the manifesto is the creation of a League Management Company to oversee the domestic league system. Under the proposal, clubs would become shareholders in the entity and have increased decision-making authority over league operations, with a focus on transparency and shared governance.
The manifesto also outlines significant increases in prize money across both men’s and women’s competitions.
For the men’s First Division League, the winning club would receive D2 million, the runner-up D1.5 million, and third place D1 million, with all participating teams receiving D250,000 as preparation allowances.
In the Male Federation Cup, the winners would earn D1.5 million, runners-up D500,000, and third place D250,000. The Male Second Division League would see prize money set at D1 million for winners, D700,000 for runners-up, and D400,000 for third place, alongside D200,000 in preparation funds for each team.
For women’s football, the manifesto proposes similar investment growth. The Women’s First Division League winner would receive D1 million, with D700,000 for second place and D400,000 for third, alongside D200,000 per team.
In the Women’s Second Division League, prizes would be set at D700,000, D500,000, and D250,000 respectively, with D150,000 in preparation allowances for each team.
The Women’s Federation Cup would also see increased rewards, with D500,000 for winners, D300,000 for runners-up, and D150,000 for third place.
Kamaso said the proposals are part of efforts to build a more structured, professional, and financially sustainable football ecosystem in the country.