GFF Regional Association Presidents Rubbish Allegations

The Presidents of Regional Football Associations under the Gambia Football Federation on Monday October 2nd hosted a Media Conference at the Football House in Kanifing to address issues that according to the Regional presidents were contained in allegations apportioned to them by a section of Gambians nicknamed Concerned Stakeholders.

Reacting to the allegations, lead speaker NumuKunda Kanyi President for CRR Football Association said all that have been said by the concerned stakeholders are ‘ unfounded and are mere allegations that hold no truth’.

NumuKunda said the reason for hosting the Press Conference at the Football House is to clarify issues regarding what the concerned stakeholders accused them of. ‘We are here to clear the doubts and dismiss the allegations blame on us by the concerned stakeholders concerning the Regional elections. All the elections conducted in the regions were free and fair in line with our constitution’.

Both Abdou Karim Sey and Abu Khan of West Coast Region and North Bank said as members of the Gambia Football Federation Executive, they have a stake in how their football is run in the regions. ‘We are all members of the GFF ExCO and we are all part of the decisions made by the GFF. By this I mean that we are always present in all GFF ExCO meetings and our voices are heard and so the elections conducted in our regions are constitutional and free and fair without any interference’, West Coast Region President Abdou Karim Sey posited.

Asked about the concerned stakeholders allegations apportioned to GFF President’s alleged interference in the LRR Regional Election, President Ansumana Sanneh said, ‘This is news to me because I cannot understand how a Federation President can vote in a Regional election. I can tell you that Lamin Kabba Bajo have not voted, neither had any influence in our election process nor been part of the voters’. Sanneh said the Congress identified a member of the GFF Staff to serve in the electoral committee which is logged in the constitution without any doubts.

The Regional Presidents confirmed that an advance notice was communicated to the stakeholders within the respective regions about the date for Regional election.

For his part URRFA President Furumuz Gomez said the regions are satisfied with the manner in which football is organized in their respective regions. ‘We are satisfied with the way our football is run in the regions because our players are now taking part in the national league through their performance and scouting processes done by football managers. GFF is sub venting the regions and that money is only for football development in the regions. I also want to tell you that the Governor in URR is very helpful because of the developments that she registered within the short time of her tenure’.