The Gambia Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) has received a major financial boost ahead of its Annual Inter-Schools Athletics Finals, with key stakeholders contributing a combined D1.5 million to support its activities.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the National Sports Council, provided D500,000, its first such support in many years. QCell added D250,000, while the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Union (GTU CCU) contributed D300,000.

The support comes at a critical time for the association, which has been grappling with financial constraints in recent years. Despite the funding boost, GSSSA revealed that its working budget for the finals stands at D800,000, allocated strictly to preparations and excluding both feeding and cash prizes.

“Our budget for the first finals is D800,000. If feeding is added we would not be able to take care of it,” said Ismaila S. Ceesay during the press conference.

The association also addressed concerns over delayed cash prizes, confirming that although payments had not been made since 2024 due to a lack of funds and high budget lines in its events.

“If you can remember, since 2024 we have not been giving cash prizes and this is as a result of lack of funds.”

The outstanding payments were made during the press conference, bringing some relief to schools. However, despite the renewed financial backing from government and partners, concerns persist over the removal of feeding for qualified athletes at the championship.

By Ebrima KB Sonko