January 2026

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports shared the following message on his official Facebook page after participating in the 9th Stake of the Nation Forum (9SNF 2025): “Yesterday, I participated in the 9th Stake of the Nation Forum (9SNF 2025) under the theme “Enhancing Participation in the Productive Sector”. The forum brought together government officials, development partners, the private sector, and members of the diplomatic corps. The focus of this year is the launch of the Biri-Biri Initiative on Sports and Tourism which seeks to use sports to promote tourism between The Gambia and Spain, leveraging on the legacy of legendary Gambian late footballer Momodou Njie Biri Biri. In my introductory statement, I applauded the initiative by the GK Partners, supported by the Ministry of Youth & Sports and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture with the coordination of the Vice President – The Gambia.”

Today, we celebrate not only the birthday of our Honourable Minister Bakary Y. Badjie but also five remarkable years of purposeful leadership at the Ministry. Since your assumption of office, the Ministry has witnessed visible transformation. From strengthening staff capacity through continuous professional development, to the construction and rehabilitation of football fields across rural Gambia including the “Mboyo” field our impact has been both evident and lasting. The finalisation of the Sports Bill, renewed support to grassroots sports, and sustained assistance to sports associations and federations have further laid a strong foundation for inclusive sports development nationwide. These achievements, among many others, speak volumes about your commitment, vision, and passion for advancing youth development and sports promotion. Under your leadership, the Ministry continues to grow in strength and direction, and you remain a role model whose dedication inspires both staff and stakeholders alike. On behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the entire staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and its satellite institutions, we are honoured to associate with you and celebrate you on this joyful occasion. Honourable Bakary Badjie , we wish you a very happy birthday. May the Almighty Allah continue to bless you with good health, wisdom, and renewed strength as you lead us forward into 2026 in this important national crusade. Happy Birthday HM more life, more blessings, and continued success.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, on Wednesday officially opened the First National Athletes’ Forum at Paradise Suites Hotel, describing it as a landmark step towards athlete-centred sports governance in The Gambia. Organised by the Athletes’ Commission of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), the two-day forum brought together athlete representatives from all 29 National Sports Associations and Federations affiliated with the GNOC. In his keynote address, the Minister praised the GNOC for convening the timely forum and stressed that athletes are key stakeholders, whose welfare, voices, and experiences must shape sports policy, planning, and governance. He highlighted the National Sports Policy as a guiding framework aimed at strengthening governance, improving infrastructure, promoting grassroots and school sports, supporting elite performance, and safeguarding athlete welfare. Hon. Badjie reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sports development under the leadership of H.E. President Adama Barrow, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges such as athlete welfare, education, career transition, and life after competition. He encouraged open and constructive dialogue during the forum, calling for unity, discipline, and integrity within sporting institutions to ensure sustainable progress. The forum will provide training, facilitate discussions on key athlete-related issues, promote networking and idea-sharing, and generate feedback to inform future policies and programmes of the GNOC, Government, and partners. Paradise Suites Hotel Two-Day National Athletes’ Forum