By Yankuba Jallow
Colonel Musa M. Balla Jammeh, a presidential aspirant in the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) election, has promised to continue the reforms and achievements of the current administration if elected, saying the federation should build on its past rather than start afresh.
Jammeh made the remarks on Sunday during the launch of his election manifesto and the unveiling of his campaign team, less than five weeks before the GFF presidential election scheduled for 29 August 2026.
The election is expected to be contested by three aspirants. Jammeh is supported by the outgoing GFF leadership led by President Lamin Kaba Bajo. Sait Ceesay, the Minister of Trade, Employment and Regional Integration and Brigadier General Sait Njie, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff among many other people were in attendance during the unveiling of the manifesto. Speaking before football delegates, former GFF leaders, partners, members of the football community and journalists, Jammeh described the occasion as “a defining moment in the history of Gambian football”.
“Today marks far more than the launch of a manifesto or the unveiling of a campaign team,” he said. “It is a defining moment in the history of Gambian football; a moment to reflect on where we have come from, appreciate those who brought us this far, and present a clear vision for where we must go next.”
Jammeh said the federation could only prepare for the future by understanding its history, adding that the experiences of previous administrations should guide future decisions.
“No institution can confidently shape its future without first understanding its past,” he said. “History is not merely a record of events; it is a guide for decision-making, a source of wisdom and a safeguard against repeating costly mistakes.”
He said every former GFF administration had made important contributions to the development of football in The Gambia despite facing different challenges.
Jammeh praised former GFF president Ousman Basi Conateh for what he described as his commitment during difficult periods for Gambian football. He said Gabbi Sosseh introduced a more structured approach to football administration and oversaw the establishment of major football infrastructure, including the FIFA Goal Project and the National Technical Training Centre. He also credited former president Omar Sey with strengthening governance, financial discipline and administrative reforms within the federation.
Jammeh said former GFF president Seedy Kinteh presided over one of the country’s most successful periods in youth football, while noting that sporting success should always be supported by strong governance and accountability. Turning to the current administration, Jammeh said the leadership of Lamin Kaba Bajo had restored confidence in the federation after a period of uncertainty.
He said the administration had strengthened financial management, expanded grassroots football, improved women’s football, invested in regional football development and overseen The Gambia’s successive qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Through steady leadership, strategic planning and institutional discipline, he restored confidence within Football House,” Jammeh said of Bajo. “These accomplishments transformed Gambian football from an underachieving nation into one that now commands respect across Africa and beyond.”
Jammeh said his campaign was based on continuity rather than replacing what had already been achieved.
“I am not presenting myself as a candidate to begin a new chapter by discarding the past,” he said. “I seek your trust to continue the journey that previous leaders began while addressing the emerging challenges of modern football.”
The presidential hopeful said his ambition was built on years of involvement in Gambian football, including serving as a former player, founder and president of Falcons Football Club, a member of the GFF Executive Committee, chairman of the federation’s Procurement Committee and a CAF Safety and Security Officer.
He said those experiences had convinced him that football development depended on “visionary leadership, institutional discipline and collective ownership”.
Jammeh outlined several priorities in his manifesto, including strengthening governance reforms, improving the federation’s financial sustainability, modernising football administration, expanding football infrastructure across the country and increasing investment in youth and women’s football.
He also pledged to commercialise domestic competitions, improve player welfare and promote innovation within Gambian football.
“This manifesto is built upon continuity, innovation and transformation,” he said. “It acknowledges the sacrifices of those who came before us while presenting practical strategies to take Gambian football to its next stage of development.”
During the event, Jammeh unveiled his campaign team, describing it as a group of experienced administrators, football stakeholders and professionals drawn from across the country.
“This team does not represent one region, one club or one interest group,” he said. “It represents the collective aspirations of our football family and our determination to build an inclusive federation that belongs to every Gambian.”
Jammeh also urged delegates to consider leadership experience and the federation’s long-term interests when voting in the election.
“Our campaign is not about personalities or divisions,” he said. “It is about preserving the institutional gains of the past while unlocking new opportunities for the future.”
He added: “The next President of the Gambia Football Federation must understand our history, appreciate our present achievements and possess the leadership to navigate the future.”
The Gambia Football Federation is expected to elect a new president on 29 August 2026, with three candidates having declared their interest in succeeding the outgoing leadership. We will give details of his manifesto based on seven pillars.
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