The government has introduced new regulations governing the use of the rehabilitated Independence Stadium in Bakau, restricting activities such as wrestling competitions and musical events to protect the facility.
Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Y. Badjie announced the measures during the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services’ monthly press briefing.
He said the stadium would no longer host wrestling competitions and musical events, adding that its primary use would be football and other approved sporting activities.
The minister said the restrictions were intended to safeguard the recently rehabilitated facility and preserve it for international football and other sporting events.
The new measures come ahead of The Gambia’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Somalia, scheduled for 25 September at the Independence Stadium.
The match will be among the first major international football fixtures to be hosted at the rehabilitated stadium.
President Adama Barrow is expected to attend the encounter, which will mark The Gambia’s opening home fixture in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 1600 hours.