Aerial view of the D14.6 million Nyakoi Kerewan Mini-stadium. Credit: GFF
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A newly inaugurated football facility in Nyakoi Kerewan, Upper River Region (URR), has sparked one of the most heated sports governance debates in The Gambia in early 2026.
What the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) describes as a milestone in decentralising football development is being criticised by activists, journalists, and sections of the public as an expensive project that falls short of expectations.
At the centre of the dispute is a familiar public policy dilemma: Are citizens getting value for money, and who should prove it?
The Project at a Glance
The Nyakoi Kerewan Mini Stadium was officially inaugurated on February 16, 2026, at a reported cost of D14.6 million (approximately $215,000).
Funding sources
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation contributed D12.4 million, while the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) contributed D2.25 million.
What the GFF says was built
According to the federation, the Phase 1 works include: a 3-meter-high perimeter fence (blockwork and steel mesh); a natural grass pitch; an automated irrigation system with an 8-inch borehole; and a 200 m² facility building containing two dressing rooms, a medical room, a referee’s room, and office space.
GFF leadership has framed the project as part of its strategy to expand football infrastructure beyond urban centres and reduce the long-standing rural–urban sports gap.
The Core Criticism: “A Fenced Pitch, not a Stadium”
The backlash erupted almost immediately after images of the facility circulated online.
Prominent civic activist Madi Jobarteh and the watchdog group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) argue that the facility does not meet the public’s understanding of what a stadium is.
Missing features cited by critics include no spectator stands or pavilion, no floodlights for evening matches, no scoreboard (manual or electronic), and unpaved surroundings with limited landscaping.
The absence of these elements has fueled the central question raised by critics:
The question on everyone’s lips is: if this is a D14.6 million stadium, where did the money go?
For many observers, the controversy is less about the existence of the pitch and more about the perceived mismatch between cost and visible output.
Foday Manneh, a sports journalist, criticised the low-key inauguration of the mini-stadium. “For an investment of D14 million in a region yearning for sports development, most especially in football, many residents, including some journalists, reportedly said they were unaware of the inauguration.”
Transparency questions intensify the backlash
The controversy gained momentum due to concerns about how the project was communicated.
Photo of GFF President, Saudi Arabia partner, and stakeholders at the inauguration ceremony.
Award-winning sports journalist Ebrima K. B. Sonko noted that the inauguration reportedly took place without prior public announcement on the GFF’s official platforms.
Many stakeholders, including journalists, only learned of the event after officials had already arrived in Nyakoi.
Foday Manneh, another renowned sports journalist, questioned whether D14.6 million was actually spent on the facility and called for an explanation.
Critics cited the lack of advance communication as also limited independent coverage, creating suspicion around the project’s rollout and amplified public speculation about the facility’s quality and cost.
GFF’s Response: “This is only phase one”
Facing mounting criticism, GFF First Vice President Bakary K. Jammeh defended the project as a phased development, arguing that critics misunderstand the high costs of building infrastructure in remote areas.
While GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo has also dismissed much of the criticism, suggesting that many commentators have not visited the site.
Speaking on the radio, he maintained that: “The project is cost-effective,” he said. He argued that physical inspection would demonstrate its value.
He added, “I’m surprised and disappointed,” he said. “99% of those making these statements have not set foot there. Before you talk about value, go there or get a quantity survey to assess it.”
Despite not providing a breakdown of how the funds were spent, Mr Bajo maintained that the facility supports the federation’s National Football Development Plan. “The initiative helps close the provincial gap.”
However, despite public pressure, the federation has not released a detailed cost breakdown or Bill of Quantities (BOQ).
Oversight and institutional pressure
The controversy has expanded beyond the GFF itself. Critics and civil society are demanding the publication of procurement documents, contractor details, and an independent financial and technical audit.
The discussions also appeared on various news platforms, including QTV, a leading private television stationin Gambia.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Council has come under criticism for remaining silent, with some observers questioning its oversight role.
Community reaction: Mixed but measured
Local reactions are divided. Some traditional leaders, including the Nyakoi Alkalo, Sillah Faba Kaira, welcomed the project as a long-awaited investment in rural youth development.
Youth groups and football stakeholders, however, argue that the facility does not meet modern competitive or community standards.
This reflects a broader tension: appreciation for any infrastructure versus expectations of quality and sustainability.
Why the Nyakoi case matters
The Nyakoi project has become a lightning rod because it touches on deeper concerns about the governance of sports infrastructure.
Recent reports, including audits linked to FIFA development programs, have listed numerous pitches and facilities as “new” or “renovated.” Critics claim that some of these are difficult to locate or are not fully functional.
Below 👇 is a screenshot of some comments on the GFF page.
For many Gambians, Nyakoi represents: A test of accountability, a question of development quality, and a broader pattern of minimalist delivery under ambitious labels.
Where things stand
As of late February 2026, public pressure on the GFF remains high, calls for full financial disclosure are growing, and the debate has moved beyond sports into a wider national conversation about transparency, procurement, and public trust
Whether the federation releases detailed documentation or proceeds to the next development phases will likely determine whether the Nyakoi Mini Stadium becomes a model for rural investment or a case study in governance controversy.
