Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-21 09:25:44
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has announced its plans to transition the Gambian league into a professional one by the 2025-26 season. This decision comes after careful planning and consideration of the potential benefits that a professional league can bring to the country.
In a statement, the GFF highlighted the importance of the sports industry in contributing to the socioeconomic development of The Gambia. By turning casual spectators into lifelong fans who actively support their teams, the federation aims to make football not only socially valuable but also economically beneficial to the country.
Currently, the Gambian league offers low pay and minimal entitlements for players. The implementation of a professional league is expected to change this by requiring club owners to treat football as a business venture. This means providing better wages and entitlements to players, as well as investing in the overall development of the sport. The goal is to move away from a casual and unstructured approach to football towards a more professional and organized system.
A professional league will also promote accountability, fairness, and efficiency in the enforcement of rules and regulations. This will ultimately benefit all stakeholders involved in Gambian football, creating a more transparent and structured environment for the sport to thrive.
To initiate this transition, the GFF has begun the process of finding a consultant to develop a business plan for the league. The consultant will help ensure that clubs have the necessary infrastructure, knowledge, and management structures in place to operate successfully as professional entities. This includes improving the clubs’ sporting infrastructure, enhancing economic and financial capacity through proper governance, and facilitating participation in international competitions.
Furthermore, the professional league will encourage continuous improvement and comparison among clubs by setting standards for financial, sporting, legal, administrative, and infrastructure criteria. This level of governance and oversight will help raise the overall quality and competitiveness of the league, benefitting both the clubs and fans alike.
In conclusion, the GFF’s decision to transition the Gambian league into a professional one signifies a new era for football in the country. By investing in the development of a sustainable and profitable league, the federation hopes to elevate Gambian football to new heights and create lasting value for the sport and its stakeholders.
Read the original article on The Standard
