Independence Stadium (Bakau)

For other uses, see Independence Stadium (disambiguation).

Independence Stadium

Location	Bakau, Gambia
Coordinates	13°28′7.7″N16°40′40.1″W / 13.468806°N 16.677806°W / 13.468806; -16.677806
Capacity	20,000 [1]
Record attendance	45,000 (Gambia vs Algeria, 8 September 2018)
Field size	105 m × 68 m
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	1984
Renovated	2011, 2022–present
Tenants
Gambia national football team (1984–present) Wallidan FC

Football fans watching Gambia v Guinea

Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bakau, Gambia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, although it is also used for athletics, concerts, political events, trade fairs and national celebrations. The stadium holds 20,000 people. ^[2]

History

Independence Stadium was constructed in 1984 by the People's Republic of China for The Gambia as part of their stadium diplomacy policy. ^[3] Due to a history of poor management, a new stadium board was introduced in 2011 to manage the stadium. ^[4]

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. ^[5] 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. ^[6] This forced Gambia to play home matches in Morocco as they had no other international stadium. ^[5] In 2025, CAF granted temporary approval for Independence Stadium to host matches again. ^[7]

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. ^[8] 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. ^[9]

52nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Inauguration of Adama Barrow as President of the Republic of The 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. ^{[10] [11]}

See also

• Box Bar Stadium (Banjul)

References

1. "Gambia - Algeria: 40,000 fans pack into 25,000 seat stadium". Be Soccer. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
2. "Gambia National Stadium". Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
3. "Independence Stadium (Banjul Football Stadium)". StadiumDB. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
4. "Gambia Indepdendence Stadium Board inaugurated". All Africa. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
5. "The Gambia: Stadium ban 'is a big disgrace' says Sulayman Marreh". BBC Sport. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
6. "CAF bans Gambia's Independence Stadium from hosting Int'l games". Voice of Gambia. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
7. "Independence Stadium Gets Temporal Approval From Caf". The Standard Newspaper. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
8. "Office of The Gambian President: State House Online: Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
9. "Gambia At 52". The Fatu Network. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
10. "Slaver's descendant begs forgiveness". Times Online. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
11. "'My ancestor traded in human misery'". BBC News. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

External links

• Photo at cafe.daum.net/stade
• Photo Archived 2021-01-18 at the Wayback Machine at worldstadiums.com Archived 2006-03-16 at the Wayback Machine
• Photos at fussballtempel.net