The Gambia has had its two-year suspension from all international football partially lifted by the Confederation of African Football.
In a news release, the FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee of the Gambia Football Federation said it was pleased to announce the partial lifting by the CAF Emergency Committee.
These developments came about following the visit of Hon. Alhagie Sillah, Chairman of the Normalization Committee, to Algeria where he met senior CAF and FIFA Executive Members.
The meeting accorded the Chairman the opportunity to discuss with CAF officials the situation surrounding the Normalization Committee and their task.
Hon. Sillah was also assured of CAF’s support and was advised to submit a funding proposal for the construction of additional hotel facilities at the Centre of Excellence at Yundum. This new state-of- the-earth design proposal will be presented to CAF officials by the Chairman when he travels to Ethiopia next month for the CAF meeting.
The lifting will also accord the Gambia National Team to play an international friendly match against other African teams including Morocco, if the arrangements are finalized later in October.
This is in line with CAF’s determination to effect minimum disruption in all football-related activities in the country.
The Normalization Committee wants to assure the stakeholders in football that they will do whatever it takes to help with the resumption of normal football in The Gambia, and continues to count on their support for the completion of the task that is given to them by FIFA.
The committee expressed its profound and sincere appreciation for the role of FIFA and CAF in the development of football in The Gambia.
In a separate development, nominations for September 20th election of Gambia Football Federation executive closed. At the close of nominations on Wednesday, four candidates were nominated. Those nominated include Lamin Kaba Bajo, the Gambia’s former minister and ambassador and two deposed presidents, Mustapha Kebbeh and Seedy Kinteh.
According to GFF Constitution, “Only members of the GFF may propose candidates for the office of the president. Members shall notify the General Secretary in writing of the name of a candidate for the presidency of GFF at least one month before the date of the General Assembly.”
The elective congress was necessitated by the removal of Mr. Kebbeh from office. This resulted to the appointment of a five-member normalization committee.
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