Environment Stories

Latest Updates

Sports First slide

MUSA BARROW SHINES BRIGHTLY IN SAUDI PRO LEAGUE

Musa Barrow, the dynamic forward for Al-Taawoun F.C., is steadily making his mark as one of the standout talents in the Saudi Pro League. With an impressive tally of 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions, Barrow's contributions have been pivotal for his team.In a recent match against Al-Ahli, Barrow showcased his exceptional skill with a stunning goal from almost 30 yards out, despite his team's eventual 4-2 defeat. This breathtaking strike underlined his ability to change the course of a game with just one moment of brilliance.Currently, Barrow and Al-Taawoun F.C. find themselves positioned 9th in the Saudi Pro League standings, accumulating 18 points from 13 matches. As he continues to grow in confidence and form, fans eagerly anticipate what this talented player will bring to the pitch next.

Continue Reading >>
Sports First slide

MINTEH READY FOR DECISIVE AFCON QUALIFIERS

Yankuba Minteh is expected to play a pivotal part in the Gambia's attempt for a 3rd consecutive AFCON qualification. Minteh, who has been nursing an injury, is included in coach Jonathan Mckinstry's squad to face Comoros and Tunisia in the decisive final two games of the AFCON qualifiersThe wing wizard has sat out Brighton's last five games, including the famous 2-1 win over champions Manchester City at the Amex stadium. His absence from Fabian Hurzeler's squad has raised worrying concerns in the Gambia ahead of the decisive qualifiers, but GRTS Sports has been reliably informed that Minteh has been training for the last two weeks and trained 100% last week.Brighton and Hove Albion have released the player to join the Scorpions despite the Seagulls preferring him to stay.The 20-year-old who has become an integral member since breaking into the national team is determined to help the Scorpions secure their place in Morroco 2025 and has opted to join the national team in Morocco.Yankuba is key and a potential difference maker for the Scorpions as Brighton's summer signing has netted 4 goals in 10 appearances for The Gambia, making the presence of a fit Yankuba Minteh very vital in the crucial and decisive upcoming qualifying games on the 15th and 18th November 2024.

Continue Reading >>
Sports First slide

CAF DECLARES GAMBIA INELIGIBLE TO HOST HOME MATCHES AFTER STADIUM RENOVATION

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has determined that the Gambia is currently unable to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a recent assessment of the renovation works funded by the Gambia government. The inspection identified that the stadium requires further enhancements to the playing surface before it can be approved for any CAF or FIFA matches.While acknowledging the successful renovations overall, CAF noted that the condition of the pitch necessitates improvements to qualify for Category 3 matches. CAF expressed appreciation for the significant advancements made at the facility, commending the Government of The Gambia, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), and the stadium management. Key areas of improvement included the dressing rooms, spectator stands, media zones, hospitality services, and essential structural elements. These enhancements represent a constructive step towards compliance with CAF and FIFA standards.Moreover, CAF has offered to assist the Gambia by providing a pitch specialist consultant to facilitate the necessary preparations, ensuring that the playing surface meets all requirements for future senior international matches.The Ministry extends its apologies to the public, who have been eagerly anticipating the return of the Scorpions to their home grounds. In light of this feedback, the Ministry will accept CAF’s proposal to engage a pitch specialist consultant to aid in the essential improvements.

Continue Reading >>
News First slide

PRESIDENT BARROW APPOINTS NEW CABINET MEMBERS

State House, Banjul, 18th November 2024: The general public is hereby informed that His Excellency the President, acting under Section 71(1) of the Constitution, has created a new Ministerial portfolio within the office of the President. Alongside this role, the new Minister will also serve as the Chief of Staff to the President, a position now removed from the public service framework.As Chief of Staff and Minister at the Presidency, the office holder will serve as a key adviser and administrator to the President, ensuring efficient coordination of presidential priorities, engagements, and functions. The Chief of Staff will ensure the President's decisions are effectively implemented across all relevant ministries and departments. Additionally, the Minister will oversee the daily operations of the Office of the President and coordinate the work of presidential advisors, ensuring their recommendations align with the President’s agenda.Accordingly, and acting under section 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Mod K. Ceesay as Chief of Staff and Minister at the Presidency, effective from 18th of November 2024.Additionally, in accordance with Section 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President has appointed Dr. Habibatou Drammeh as the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education and Mr. Lamin Jabbi as the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.Merging the Roles of Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil ServiceIn a similar vein, His Excellency the President, acting under Section 80 of the Constitution, has decided to merge the roles of Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service with the Secretary to Cabinet.This merger aims to enhance efficiency in fulfilling these traditionally separate roles. The Secretary to Cabinet guides policy development in Cabinet meetings, while the Head of the Civil Service ensures these policies are implemented across ministries and departments. Consolidating these roles with a single individual helps bridge gaps in understanding and ensures a smooth transition from policy to action. Furthermore, the decision is supported by the belief that having one person oversee both policy formulation at the Cabinet level and its execution in the civil service reduces bureaucracy and reinforces a stronger chain of accountability for delivering results.Accordingly, and acting under Section 168(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Alieu Njie as Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Civil Service, effective from 15th of November 2024.

Continue Reading >>
Sports First slide

COACH JONATHAN MCKINSTRY NAMES SQUAD FOR FINAL AFCON QUALIFIERS

As the final round of qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, the players face a pivotal moment that could determine the fate of Gambia's national team.Coach Johnathan McKinstry has announced a carefully selected squad that is poised for action, starting with a crucial match against Comoros on November 15, 2024, set to take place in Morocco.Following this encounter, the team will head to Tunisia for their decisive qualifier on 18 November 2024.The stakes are high for the Scorpions of The Gambia; a victory over Comoros, paired with a draw against Tunisia, could secure their place in the prestigious AFCON tournament for the third consecutive time. With the weight of national pride on their shoulders, the players are eager to demonstrate their skill and determination on the field.

Continue Reading >>
Sports First slide

CAF GIVES TEMPORAL APPROVAL FOR USAGE OF INDEPENDENCE STADIUM

After sending video and picture evidence of the completion of the remodelling and renovation of the Independence Stadium works to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), temporal approval has been given by CAF for The Gambia to host home matches.However, CAF will send inspectors for physical confirmation to ascertain if the pictures sent match with CAF's requirements.A senior official at the Ministry of Youth and Sports has told GRTS that, 'we've received confirmation that temporal approval has been given for the usage of the stadium for CAF matches.''But inspectors will have to come for physical confirmation, possibly before November. We are hopeful that final approval will be given because the evidence sent to them is what is on the ground.''So there is a 100% chance that we will play our game against Comoros at home' he said.After CAF banned the Gambia from hosting home matches due to a substandard stadium, the government of the Gambia under the leadership of H.E Adama Barrow has spent over 280 million dalasi to renovate the Independence Stadium to the required CAF standards.

Continue Reading >>