Upper River Regional Sports Committee

PUBLIC STATEMENT BY THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEE – UPPER RIVER REGION (URR)
Issued Date: 24th February, 2026.

The Regional Sports Committee of Upper River Region wishes to categorically refute and debunk the statement made by Kaba Bajo, President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), alleging that the Regional Sports Committee was involved in the construction of the Nyakoi Mini Stadium.

For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, the Regional Sports Committee of Upper River Region has never been part of any committee—regional or national—nor involved at any stage of the planning, implementation, ex*****on, or oversight of the Nyakoi Mini Stadium project. Any assertion suggesting otherwise is entirely false, misleading, and unacceptable.

Furthermore, the Regional Sports Committee strongly condemns and rejects the persistent use of divide-and-rule tactics in Upper River Region. The repeated claim that URR sports stakeholders are divided—and therefore undeserving of a stadium—is false, unfair, and deliberately misleading.
It is important to place on public record that this similar misleading statement was made openly and publicly in the presence of His Excellency Adama Barrow, during the President Barrow’s Peace Tournament Final, held in Basse. We find it deeply unfortunate that such an inaccurate and divisive narrative was advanced at a national peace event meant to promote unity, harmony, and truth.

Sports stakeholders in URR are united in purpose and vision, and such narratives only serve personal or institutional interests rather than the development of sports.

We respectfully but firmly caution the GFF President to desist from promoting hatred, mistrust, and division among the people of Upper River Region. Development is built on unity, inclusion, and accountability not on misinformation and blame-shifting.

The Regional Sports Committee further notes that these public utterances appear to mask a lack of tangible sports development outcome

The President leads the courtesy visit to the Governor of the Upper River Region

On 12th February 2026, GVBF President Bai Dodou Jallow led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Upper River Region ahead of the closing ceremony of the FIVB Knowledge Transfer for Coaches Training in Basse.

The visit aimed to brief the Governor on the successful implementation of the training programme, held from 8th to 12th February, which strengthened grassroots coaching capacity in the region.

Mr. Jallow highlighted the importance of decentralising sports development, while FIVB Instructor Mbaye Deme commended the commitment of participating coaches.

The Governor praised the initiative and pledged to sponsor a volleyball tournament in honour of Mr. Deme, reaffirming his support for youth empowerment and sports development in URR.

FIVB Knowledge Transfer for Coaches Training Kicks Off in the Upper River Region.

The FIVB Knowledge Transfer for Coaches training has officially kicked off in the Upper River Region, marking a significant step in the development of volleyball coaching in The Gambia.

The training is being conducted under the guidance of Mr. Mbaye Deme, an experienced FIVB Instructor from Senegal, whose expertise is expected to greatly enhance the technical and tactical capacity of local coaches.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of key stakeholders and executives from the Gambia Volleyball Federation and the sports fraternity. Among those in attendance were Dawda Jatta, Assistant Secretary General of the Gambia Volleyball Federation; Pa Barrow, Beach Volleyball Coach; Sarra Camara, Media and Communication Officer at the National Sports Council; Alagie Ceesay (Nature), Technical Director of the Gambia Volleyball Federation; Musa Jarra, Regional Sports Coordinator at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS); Alagie A. Jallow, a member of the Basse Town Development Committee; and Alagie Muya Baldeh, URR Sports Chairman.

The training underscores the commitment of the Gambia Volleyball Federation, in collaboration with FIVB and national stakeholders, to strengthen grassroots coaching education and promote the growth of volleyball across all regions of the country.

CONGRATULATIONS MESSAGE TO SJAG( URR)

The Regional Sports Committee (RSC) of the Upper River Region warmly congratulates the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG), through its Upper River Region Chapter, for the successful organization and hosting of their first-ever Maiden Award Night.

This landmark achievement represents a significant step forward in the promotion of sports excellence, professionalism, and recognition within the region. The event was not only well-coordinated but also symbolic of the growing influence of sports journalism in shaping narratives, inspiring athletes, and strengthening unity across the sporting fraternity in the Upper River Region.

The Regional Sports Committee equally commends the Regional Authorities, particularly the Office of the Governor and the Basse Area Council, for their institutional support and collaboration. Such leadership and partnership remain essential in advancing sports development and empowering youth-driven initiatives within the region.

We further acknowledge and appreciate the collective support of stakeholders, community members, and sports enthusiasts—both within and outside the Upper River Region—whose contributions and solidarity ensured the success of this historic occasion. Their commitment reaffirms that meaningful progress in sports is achieved through shared responsibility and collective effort.

This maiden Award Night should serve as a strong reminder to all stakeholders across sectors to rise above differences and focus on unlocking the vast, untapped potential of sports in the Upper River Region. Unity, cooperation, and mutual respect remain the foundation upon which sustainable sports development is built.