Dreams on Hold: Manjai Park Dispute Leaves Young Footballers Out of Nawettan for Second Year

Manjai VDC’s Press Conference, February 2026 © Askanwi Media

‍By Askanwi Media

For many young footballers in Manjai, Nawettan is more than a tournament. It is a chance to wear their team’s colours, compete before their community, showcase their talent and perhaps catch the attention of divisional league clubs that could change the course of their football careers.

However, for the second consecutive year, that opportunity has been lost as four Manjai teams stay out of the competition amid an ongoing dispute over the ownership and management of the park. The dispute between the Manjai Community and the Manjai Sports Association (MSA) is now before the Bundung High Court.

Some young players who spoke to Askanwi said they “wanted to participate” in the grassroots tournament, which runs during the rainy season, hoping to be spotted by a divisional club and “play at the next level”. But for some, that opportunity was lost before they could step onto the pitch.

One player, who played for his team in the 2024 Nawettan, said: “As [he] was preparing [for the 2025 Nawettan], it was announced that the team had boycotted the Nawettan, so we would not be able to play.” The decision, he said, came late, leaving him little time to find another team in a different zone. He told Askanwi that the boycott dashed his hopes, as well as those of other young players who had been looking forward to the competition.

A letter seen by Askanwi, dated 15th August 2025 and signed by representatives of Darusalam FC, Ajax Manjai FC, Johm’s FC, Manjai Sanchaba FC and Under 15 FC, announced their collective boycott of the 2025 Nawettan. The five teams cited their commitment to “peace, respect for due process and the long-term interest of our community” in announcing their withdrawal.‍

Boycott Petition by the Five Manjai Teams in 2025 © Askanwi Media

In 2026, the boycott has continued, but with one significant change: Under 15 FC has returned to the competition, while Darusalam FC, Ajax Manjai FC, Johm’s FC and Manjai Sanchaba FC remain out.

For the young players caught in the middle, the consequences go beyond their teams’ decision to stay away. It is about whether they will have a place to showcase their talent and perhaps catch the attention of divisional league clubs that could change the course of their football careers.

One Returns, Four Stay Out

Under-15 FC at Fajara Beach ahead of the 2026 Nawettan © Askanwi Media

Under 15 FC, which also withdrew last year, has taken a different position in this year. The team’s head coach, Pa Dodou Jorbateh, said the club had agreed to the boycott in 2025 but has reconsidered its position. He said the decision to return “was based on their consideration of the young footballers”.

For Jorbateh, Nawettan remains an important platform for young players to showcase their talent and pursue their dreams. Although he acknowledged that it may now be too late for the other teams to join, he believes their players should not have been denied the opportunity to “showcase their talents and achieve their goals and dreams”.

But the four teams that remain outside the competition see the situation differently. Allasan Jammeh, the fitness trainer of Johm’s FC, said the club’s decision is based on its unwillingness to participate in activities organised by the MSA while the dispute remains unresolved.

He stressed that they “are waiting for the outcome of the case before the High Court. If it finalises, then [they] will know what to do.”

Jammeh added: “Right now, with how things are, we will not be able to participate, as MSA and the Manjai Community are not on good terms.” Asked what would have to change for his team to return, he was direct: “As long as the MSA is managing the tournament, I don’t think we will be able to participate unless they agree with the VDC’s terms. Then from there, we can participate.”

Jammeh acknowledged that the decision could affect young players but argued that it could also push them to seek opportunities outside Manjai, where they could gain experience before returning. The teams’ withdrawal is rooted in a dispute that has lasted for years over who should control and manage the Father Gough Sports Complex, commonly called Manjai Park, a facility that hosts the Nawettan.

Johm’s FC at the 2024 Nawettan tournament in Manjai Park © Johm’s Football Academy

A Dispute Over the Park Ownership and Management

An investigation previously published by Askanwi traced the dispute to the facility’s history and changing management. The investigation found that the Manjai community, through the Manjai Youth Development Association (MYDA), managed the facility from the early 2000s until 2015.

However, the management later changed hands when the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) handed the facility to the now-defunct Manjai Sports Committee (MSC), which had previously operated under MYDA before a fallout. Following the dissolution of the MSC, the Manjai Sports Association emerged and now maintains that it is the recognised sporting body mandated to manage the facility and deal directly with the council.

The Manjai Community disputes this position. The community maintains that it is “the rightful owner of the facility under customary law” and, as such, should have “control over its management”.

Manjai Park © Askanwi Media

The opposing legal position includes reliance on the Local Government Act 2002, which provides for public parks to fall under the control of local councils. These competing claims have deepened the dispute with the Manjai Community subsequently filing a suit at the Bundung High Court against the MSA and the Executive Coordinator of Kanifing Municipality, Hon. Bakary ‘Kara’ Singhateh, before Justice I. Janneh.

The community also sought an injunction to halt activities at the facility pending the determination of the substantive case. The court, however, dismissed the application. Had the injunction been granted, it would have effectively stopped the 2026 Nawettan and other sporting activities at the park.

In a ruling delivered on 27th July 2026, Justice I. Janneh said granting the injunction would have “far-reaching consequences” because it would prevent sporting activities organised by the defendants for the duration of the proceedings. The judge also noted that the substantive trial “may not be concluded for a considerable period”, given the nature of civil litigation.

Beyond the parties before the court, Justice Janneh considered the wider public interest and the young people who depend on the facility. In her ruling, she stressed: “I must also take into account the wider public interest. The material before the court indicates that the football park serves as an important sporting venue utilised by numerous youths and sporting organisations within the Kanifing Municipality.”

The court's decision allowed sporting activities to continue, but it did not determine ownership or settle who has the ultimate right to manage the park. Those issues remain for determination in the substantive case while the teams' boycott continues.‍ ‍

Bundung High Court Ruling on the Manjai Community’s Injunction © Askanwi Media

MSA’s Attempt to Bring the Teams Back

MSA President Hon. Bubacarr Jaiteh told Askanwi that the association tried to bring the teams back after the court ruling cleared the way for the 2026 Nawettan, but those efforts did not succeed.

He told our reporter: “We have engaged the teams, but unfortunately none of them responded to our call.” Hon. Jaiteh added that Under 15 FC was the only team to return after writing to the committee to confirm its participation, even before the court case.

The MSA's position is consistent with its role as the body currently organising grassroots football activities at the facility. Its website describes the association as an organisation “that promotes grassroots football in the Manjai community”. But the four teams, with advice from the Executive Development Committee, remain unwilling to participate under the current arrangement.

The Community’s Position

The Development Committee has acknowledged its role in the teams’ withdrawal during an interview with Askanwi. Habibou Barry, the committee’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that they “are the ones who advised the teams to boycott, and four out of the five teams did.”

He said the decision was intended to demonstrate the community’s position that the football field belongs to Manjai and that its management should return to the community. Asked about Under 15 FC’s decision to participate, Barry described the team as a “kampeh team”, operating under Manjai Sanchaba, whose main team remains part of the withdrawal.

He said while the team’s executive wanted to maintain the boycott, the players insisted on participating. Asked further on what would make the community change its position, Barry replied, “Only if the management of the park is given back to the community of Manjai Kunda.”‍

Manjai VDC Public Relations Officer, Habibou Barry © Askanwi Media

That position reflects the wider dispute before the High Court, where the community claims the park is customary land belonging to Manjai Kunda, while the defendants dispute the claim. The court has made clear that those substantive claims will be determined after trial, which might take years before its completion.

This now leaves the four teams with a decision to make if they will continue with the boycott until after the judgement or reconsider their decision.

The Cost of Staying Away

For them and the Development Committee, staying away is a form of protest over what they believe should be managed by the community. But sports officials warn that the consequences extend beyond the dispute itself.

The Chairperson of the Kanifing Municipality Sports Committee (KM Sports), Mr Modou Njie, believes the teams should reconsider their decision and return to the competition.

Mr Njie explained, "The concept of grassroots football is to increase our pool of player choice; [therefore,] when we have players playing in Manjai, in Serekunda East and in these regions, we are producing stars.”

But when teams withdraw from such competitions, he asked, “Those young footballers, where are they going to play?” He warned that some could end up “playing unrecognised football”, making it more difficult for their talents to be discovered.

His concern goes to the heart of the story: grassroots tournaments are not simply recreational competitions. They are part of the pathway through which young footballers gain experience and exposure.

The Chairperson of the KMC Standing Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Babucarr Mansally, also warned about the consequences of leaving young people without meaningful sporting activities.

He said discouraging teams from participating could contribute to youth idleness, irregular migration and crime. “As long as [youths] are engaged, that would help to control the crime rate and even irregular migration,” Mansally said.

Against this backdrop, Njie directed his appeal to the elders of the Manjai Community. “We don’t own anything in this world. We will all die and leave everything here,” he said. “So basically, what we should do is come together and solve the conflict.”

His call echoes for resolution and the end of the boycott, but with the 2026 Nawettan already underway, even if the dispute were resolved, the four teams would not be able to participate. While Under 15 FC’s return has allowed its players to compete and could catch the attention of divisional teams.

Now, it remains to be seen whether the teams will change their position and allow their young players to compete in their home zone next year. However, if the withdrawal continues, they risk losing their place in the recognised zonal tournament, while another generation of young footballers could lose valuable opportunities to develop, compete and be noticed.