Manjai Zone Cleared to Stage Nawettan After High Court Rejects Injunction Application
Manjai Sports Association © Askanwi
By Askanwi Media
Weeks after Askanwi Media reported that the 2026 Nawettan tournament at Manjai Park faced possible disruption due to a court case over the ownership and management of the facility, the Bundung High Court has dismissed an application for an injunction that sought to halt all activities at the park.
The ruling, delivered by Justice I. Janneh on 27th July 2026, allows the 2026 Nawettan tournament and other sporting activities to continue at the Father Gough Sports Complex, commonly known as Manjai Park, while the substantive case proceeds.
The injunction application was filed by the Manjai Kunda Village Development Committee (VDC) against the Manjai Sports Association (MSA) and the Executive Coordinator of the Kanifing Municipality (KM), Hon. Bakary Kara Singhateh. The case was first heard on 7th July and also on 16th July and centres on a dispute over the ownership and management of Manjai Park. The injunction sought to halt all activities at the sports facility, pending the court's determination of which party has the legal right to its ownership and management.
Among the reliefs sought were orders restraining the defendants from managing or using the sports complex pending the determination of the suit, directing that revenue generated from the facility be deposited with the Sheriff of The Gambia, and requiring the first defendant to account for revenue collected from the park between 2017 and 2026.
Bundung High Court © Askanwi
After hearing submissions from both parties during two court sittings, Justice Janneh dismissed the application, including the request for an injunction.
In her ruling, Justice Janneh observed that restraining the defendants and their associates from using the park "would have far-reaching consequences”, as it would effectively halt all sporting activities organised by the defendants for the duration of the proceedings.
She further noted that "given the nature of civil litigation, the substantive trial may not be concluded for a considerable period”. The judge also found that granting the injunction would not preserve the status quo but would instead change it, stating that "granting the injunction in the terms sought would therefore not merely preserve the existing state of affairs. Rather, it would substantially alter it by removing from the Defendants the very control and management which they presently exercise and which they claim to exercise lawfully."
Justice Janneh also considered the wider public interest, noting that "the football park serves an important sporting venue utilised by numerous youths and sporting organisations within the Kanifing Municipality”. While emphasising that public interest can not override established legal rights, she said it remains a relevant consideration when the court exercises its equitable discretion.
The judge further held that refusing the injunction would not leave the plaintiff without a remedy. She stated that if the plaintiff ultimately succeeds at trial, the court would still have jurisdiction to grant declarations, permanent injunctive relief, orders for accounts, and monetary compensation.
In assessing the balance of convenience, Justice Janneh said she was "unable to conclude that the balance of convenience lies in favour of granting the sweeping injunction sought by the plaintiff”. Instead, she held that the balance "favoured maintaining the current practical position while preserving the subject matter of the litigation pending trial”.
The ruling means activities at Manjai Park can continue while the ownership dispute is being heard, allowing preparations for the 2026 Nawettan tournament to proceed. It now remains to be seen whether the five Manjai-based teams that previously boycotted the competition last year over the ownership and management dispute will participate in this year's tournament.
The case was adjourned to 21st October 2026.
