Reports from Banjul has it that Mustapha Kebbeh has been elected new President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF). The much talked about and controversial elections was held this morning at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. Mustapha pulled 30 votes over his rival Modou Moussa a banking executive who scored 21 votes.
Earlier yesterday names of participants from various regional and local clubs were released leading to the elections. The controversial election has been marked with controversy and suspicion of mistrust when some of its leading contenders from the former executive were effective banned from participating in the elections by the Normalization committee headed by Alhagie Omar Sey. Seedy Kinteh the former President and Halla Samba VP were banned from contesting the elections. Seedy earlier yesterday withdrew his name and threw his weight behind Mustapha Kebbeh.
Although the elections were conducted peacefully many people reportedly were suspicious that the elections may have come down to tribal lines. An anonymous source told our reporter that the elections went on tribal lines with Kebbeh being backed by Brikama and Bakau clubs while Mousa was backed by clubs in Banjul and Serekunda areas. The source went further to state that “this is not good for Gambian football”. Earlier on a commentator on the social media face book raised concerns that Gambians should keep tribalism outside of Football. That it has no place in football the only game that unifies a people and nation.
Kebbeh the current President of Steve Biko is somewhat new to Gambian football compared to his rival Mousa and Kinteh, he is reportedly an enthusiastic and dynamic youth leader who is able to connect with the youths of the country. He is also reportedly a sympathizer of the current regime which may work to his advantage or otherwise. In order for him to be successful and keep a firm working relations with FIFA, he would need to keep government away from interfering with the administration of the sports. He therefore would need every support from his new executive and Gambians to take Gambian football to another level. The challenges of Gambian football needs to be approach in a business perspective to engage more sponsors especially those football lovers in the Gambian Diaspora. This will help bring more private funding to the club and avoid relying surely on Government funding which has been lacking over the years.