Gianni Infantino, the president of World football governing body FIFA, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on President Adama Barrow at State House.

Infantino said Gambia was a football nation noting that the purpose of their visit was football development in the country which he identified as one of Africa’s most loved sports.

“What is happening in The Gambia is something very special, the country is small but likes football with true passion”.

He also appealed to The Gambia Football Federation to do more in terms of its players development.

He promised that FIFA will support The Gambia in increasing the available funds for the development of the country’s football particularly women football.

President Barrow described Infantino’s visit as “historic” and said he was pleased the visit happened during his administration.

Barrow said football was a very loved sports in the world and the most watched game pointing out that he was a big fan of the game.

He appealed to FIFA to support the country’s football development, saying that people used to play the game for passion but now it was one of the most lucrative business in the world.

Infantino was accompanied by Ahmed Ahmad, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and officials of The Gambia Football Federation.