Independence Stadium (Bakau)

History

Independence Stadium was constructed in 1984 by the People's Republic of China for The Gambia as part of their stadium diplomacy policy. Due to a history of poor management, a new stadium board was introduced in 2011 to manage the stadium.

In 2019, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) warned Gambia that Independence Stadium did not meet their upcoming new stadium criteria. The government provided some money for renovations but it was insufficient. In 2022, CAF banned Gambia from playing international and continental club matches at Independence Stadium due to the lack of an electronic scoreboard, no fixed seating, a poor quality pitch and medical facilities as well as inadequate dugouts. This forced Gambia to play home matches in Morocco as they had no other international stadium. In 2025, CAF granted temporary approval for Independence Stadium to host matches again.

Notable events

10th anniversary of the July 22nd revolution

On 22 July 2004, heads of state and dignitaries from several African nations, and the Taiwanese prime minister attended a large parade to mark the tenth anniversary of the assumption to power of President Jammeh. On 18 February 2017 the 52nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations, and inauguration of Adama Barrow as President of the Republic of The Gambia, was held at the Independence Stadium Bakau, Gambia.

Lifeline Expedition

Main article: Lifeline Expedition

In June 2006, Andrew Hawkins (a descendant of England's first slave trader Sir John Hawkins) and 20 friends from the Christian charity Lifeline Expedition knelt in chains before 25,000 Africans to ask forgiveness for his ancestor's involvement in the slave trade. The Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy symbolically removed the chains in a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness.

References

References

1. "Gambia - Algeria: 40,000 fans pack into 25,000 seat stadium". Be Soccer.
2. "Gambia National Stadium".
3. "Independence Stadium (Banjul Football Stadium)". StadiumDB.
4. "Gambia Indepdendence Stadium Board inaugurated". All Africa.
5. (15 March 2022). "The Gambia: Stadium ban 'is a big disgrace' says Sulayman Marreh". BBC Sport.
6. (21 February 2022). "CAF bans Gambia's Independence Stadium from hosting Int'l games". Voice of Gambia.
7. (14 April 2025). "Independence Stadium Gets Temporal Approval From Caf". The Standard Newspaper.
8. "Office of The Gambian President: State House Online: Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh".
9. (18 February 2017). "Gambia At 52". The Fatu Network.
10. "Slaver's descendant begs forgiveness". Times Online.
11. (23 June 2006). "'My ancestor traded in human misery'". BBC News.