The Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Badjie has stated the government doesn’t have an issue with players refusing 11 million dalasis given to them by the government.
“Of course, it’s a gift, it’s a reward. You want to take it, that’s good enough. If somebody says I don’t want your gift, that’s as fair as any other thing. We don’t have any problem with the team refusing the money,” Mr Badjie told reporters at a press conference in Banjul on Wednesday amid the issue persisting.
The minister however made it clear the government appreciates the ‘tremendous’ efforts of the players in ensuring Gambia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“But we just think that it’s important that we clarify this but also tell the boys that as a ministry, as a government, we recognize their tremendous efforts in putting The Gambia out there,” he said.
The nation’s players refused to meet with President Adama Barrow over the presentation of a cheque of 11 million dalasis to them. They said the money is too small, according to people familiar with the issue.
