Newly elected Gambia Football Federation (GFF) president Kemo Ceesay has called on his two election rivals, Sadibou Kamaso and Musa Jammeh, to join his administration, saying the conclusion of Saturday’s election should mark the beginning of unity in Gambian football.
Speaking shortly after his victory at the GFF presidential election held at Paradise Suites Hotel on August 29, Ceesay appealed directly to both candidates to put their differences aside and work together for the development of the sport.
“There is no loser in this election,” Ceesay said.
“I cannot do it alone. I want total unification. From Monday, anytime we start work, I want to get all of you on board.”
Ceesay acknowledged the experience and contributions of his former opponents, noting that both had played significant roles in Gambian football administration. Kamaso previously contested the GFF presidency in 2022, while Jammeh has served on the federation’s executive committee and is also a club owner.
The president-elect said the three campaigns had presented different manifestos but shared many of the same objectives for Gambian football. He urged the rival camps to combine their ideas and redirect their efforts toward developing the sport.
His call for reconciliation extended beyond the two candidates. Ceesay appealed to football stakeholders to move beyond what he described as a fiercely contested campaign and work toward a more unified federation.
He also praised outgoing GFF president Lamin Kabba Bajo, crediting his 12-year tenure with bringing stability to an institution that had previously experienced leadership disputes, impeachments, interim administrations and normalization committees.
Ceesay, who has been involved in football administration since joining the then-Gambia Football Association in 2002, said Bajo’s tenure helped end much of that instability. He also acknowledged the government’s support for football during the period.
The new president thanked regional football associations, clubs and other organizations that supported his campaign, which he said lasted seven months. He also praised his campaign team, particularly Bakary Jammeh, for what he described as an organized campaign.
Looking ahead, Ceesay said his administration would ultimately be judged by its ability to deliver on its promises rather than by its campaign rhetoric.
He pointed to the manifesto unveiled by his team on June 20, saying delegates who voted for the new administration would expect those commitments to be implemented.
Ceesay also highlighted the federation’s financial dependence on international football bodies, saying approximately 80 percent of the GFF’s revenue comes from FIFA. He appealed for continued support from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football and the West African Football Union as the new administration begins its work.
The president-elect concluded by emphasizing what he described as the central message of his administration: “unification.”
“We have a message for the stakeholders of Gambian football,” Ceesay said, “and that is unification.”
