Former Gambia Football Federation president Mustapha Kebbeh and his powerful Number 2 Star Janneh and crew may have dropped their guard in their scrutiny of the works of the senior management team (SMT) resulting to a fiasco that led to the collapse of their regime under public opinion.
But what they lacked, in attending to details, they made for in engagement and convincing potential donors. They have demonstrated amazing ability to present and attract funding for projects from the international federations.
During the course of their short reign, the Kebbeh led executive secured through negotiation some US$1.225 million financial and projects assistance from FIFA and CAF alone.
Their administration was also lucky to be the one in power when Fifa agreed to give US$750,000 to The Gambia and other nations as World cup bonus.
The Kebbeh led regime already negotiated and applied for US$250,000 from this bonus to come this year for use to clear the debts of the GFF, while the remaining US$500,000 is due to arrive next year, 2015. Also, The Gambia shall continue, barring any future normalisation, to benefit from the FAP fund of $250,000 annually for the coming four years.
In total the newly elected executive of Lamin Kaba Bajo regime will inherit and manage about US$2.875 million in projects and liquid cash within these four years on behalf of The Gambia if everything goes well.
However, an expert yesterday told The Standard that the full implementation and realization of these projects and release of these funds are tied to very prudent and transparent management as Fifa is very concerned about credible management of its funds anywhere in the world.
But according to another expert financial analyst, Gambians can be at ease because the GFF new president Lamin Kaba Bajo has repeatedly vowed to exercise zero tolerance for financial misappropriation.
He added that it must be clear that none of these monies are meant for national team travelling or camping in case anyone thinks that the GFF has enough money and does not need further help. “The federation must still secure funding for national teams, domestic and other football programmes,” said our analyst.
Some of the projects and monies either negotiated by the kebbeh regime or offered during their reign and the identified programmes for them are indicated below:
Fifa development programs
1. Refurbishment of the technical training center US$325.000.
2. Artificial turf (LRR Mansakomko) $500,000.
3. Youth and regional football development $175,000.
4. Caf 3rd phase financial assistant programs -US$125,000 and
two years kits sponsorship contract with Adidas.
5. Fifa world cup bonus750,000USD ($250.000 earmarked
for paying GFF debts).
6. Fifa Performance programme USD$100,000.
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