Bajo Leads Inauguration of GFF Legends Committee to Strengthen Legacy and Welfare of Former Players

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

KANIFING – The President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Mr. Lamin Kabba Bajo, on Thursday presided over the official inauguration of the GFF Legends and Veteran Affairs Committee at the Football House in Kanifing. The newly constituted body is tasked with preserving the legacy of Gambian football icons and promoting the welfare of retired players and administrators.

In his keynote address, President Bajo underscored the significance of the committee’s formation, praising its members for their lifelong service to the game.

“I have no doubt about the commitment of the members of this committee,” he said. “Your sacrifices and contributions to Gambian football cannot be overemphasised. The Committee comprises highly qualified individuals with deep knowledge of our football—both past and present.”

Hon. James Gomez, appointed as Vice Chairman of the committee, expressed gratitude to the GFF leadership for the confidence reposed in him and his colleagues. He lauded the initiative as a vital step towards honouring those who have shaped the sport.

 “Some of us are retired, but when we’re called by football, we must answer,” Gomez remarked, urging fellow members to uphold the high standards expected of them.

Other speakers, including Mr. Cherno Bara Touray, Mr. Tijan Masaneh Ceesay, Mr. Essa Faye, Mr. Edmond Shonubi, and Mr. Baboucarr Sowe (Laos), also commended the GFF for the initiative and pledged their unwavering support to deliver on the committee’s mandate.

The Legends and Veteran Affairs Committee will play a pivotal role in recognising excellence, ensuring fairness in the GFF’s annual awards, and safeguarding the welfare of former players and administrators.

According to the Terms of Reference, the committee’s responsibilities include:

Establishing eligibility criteria for recognising former national team players as official Legends.

Serving as the panel of judges for the GFF Annual Awards Ceremony, overseeing the nomination and selection process in collaboration with the GFF Awards Committee.

Vetting nominations across all award categories to ensure transparency and equity.

Using official competition statistics from the GFF Competitions Department to assess nominees from both male and female divisions.

Developing nomination and award criteria for foreign-based players.

Maintaining a comprehensive database of legends, nominees, award recipients, and former administrators.

Submitting detailed post-event reports highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations.

Holding periodic meetings as determined by the Chairperson.

Establishing a GFF Hall of Fame to celebrate football excellence.

Creating and managing a Veteran Welfare Fund to support former players and officials.

With the launch of this committee, the GFF takes another significant step in institutionalising recognition for those who have dedicated their lives to Gambian football—both on and off the pitch.