Team Restore Confidence (TRC) recently presented a proposed financial package for Gambian club football, aiming to strengthen clubs, improve player welfare, and advance towards a professional system. TRC stated the initiative extends beyond increased prize money to help clubs become "stronger, more stable and better organised." The group believes Gambian football cannot professionalize without adequate financial support. TRC emphasized that clubs require resources "to pay players, improve training, employ qualified staff and plan properly for each season." According to TRC, "A stronger league can also attract more supporters, sponsors and business partners," creating opportunities across the football ecosystem. For Sadibou Kamaso and Team Restore Confidence, this support is an "investment in the future of Gambian football." Their goal is "stronger clubs, better competitions, greater opportunities and a more professional football system for both men and women."
Detailed Prize Money Breakdown
Team Restore Confidence's financial blueprint outlines specific prize money allocations for winning clubs across various divisions. For the Men’s First Division League, TRC proposes D2 million for the champions, D1.5 million for the runners-up, and D1 million for the third-placed team. Every club participating in the Men’s First Division would also receive a preparatory support package of D250,000 before the start of the season.
In the Men’s Second Division League, the proposed prize money is D1 million for the champions, D700,000 for the runners-up, and D400,000 for the third-placed team. Each participating club in the Men’s Second Division would also receive D200,000 as preparatory support. For the Women’s First Division League, the champions would receive D1 million, the runners-up D700,000, and the third-placed team D400,000. Each Women’s First Division club would also receive D200,000 to prepare for the season.
TRC stated the package extends beyond prize money, noting, "This package is not only about increasing prize money. It is also about helping clubs become stronger, more stable and better organised." The organization emphasized that "Clubs need resources to pay players, improve training, employ qualified staff and plan properly for each season." TRC also suggested that "A stronger league can also attract more supporters, sponsors and business partners." This, they indicated, "can create new opportunities for players, coaches, referees, administrators, journalists and many other people working within football." For Sadibou Kamaso and Team Restore Confidence, supporting league clubs represents "an investment in the future of Gambian football." Their stated objective is clear: "stronger clubs, better competitions, greater opportunities and a more professional football system for both men and women."
Support for Women's Football
Team Restore Confidence's financial plan encompasses both men's and women's leagues, alongside Federation Cup competitions. For the Women’s Second Division League, TRC proposes D700,000 for the champions, with D500,000 designated for the runners-up and D250,000 for the third-placed team. Each participating club in the Women’s Second Division would also receive a preparatory support package of D150,000. In the Women’s Federation Cup, the champions would receive D500,000, while the runners-up would be awarded D300,000, and the third-placed team D150,000. TRC leadership stated that the goal is "stronger clubs, better competitions, greater opportunities and a more professional football system for both men and women." According to TRC, "For Sadibou Kamaso and Team Restore Confidence, supporting league clubs is an investment in the future of Gambian football."
Broader Vision and Partnerships
Team Restore Confidence (TRC) plans to engage the Government of The Gambia and other partners to develop policies supporting the growth of professional football. TRC also intends to seek stronger partnerships with the private sector, football bodies, and other institutions. The organization stated that football development should be measured by the strength of local clubs, the quality of domestic competitions, and opportunities for players. In the Men’s Federation Cup, the winner would receive D1.5 million, the runners-up D500,000, and the third-placed team D250,000. For Sadibou Kamaso and Team Restore Confidence, supporting league clubs is "an investment in the future of Gambian football," with the goal of "stronger clubs, better competitions, greater opportunities and a more professional football system for both men and women."