10/08/2026
🏆 THE FINAL CHAPTER | UTG MAKE HISTORY
And now, the whistle has sounded for the final time.
The maiden edition of the Inter-Tertiary Football Tournament has come to an end but what a journey it has been. A journey of ambition, rivalry, resilience, unity, and belief. From the opening match to the final moment at Manjai Park, this tournament gave tertiary institutions across The Gambia a platform to compete, connect, and create history.
In a dramatic final that had everything intensity, courage, and emotion the University of The Gambia emerged victorious after a 1–1 draw in regulation time and a tense penalty shootout. With composure under immense pressure, UTG became the inaugural champions of the Inter-Tertiary Football Tournament.
History now has its first name written in gold: UTG.
🏅 Individual and Special Awards
- Top Scorer: Sarjo Jallow — UTG
- Player of the Tournament: Njuma Joof - CSU
- Best Goalkeeper: Ousman Jammeh- UTG
- Most Disciplined Team: USET
Congratulations to all eight participating institutions for their commitment, discipline, sportsmanship, and invaluable contribution to this historic tournament. Every team brought character to the competition, and every player helped give this tournament its soul.
But beyond the goals, saves, and trophies, this tournament became something far greater. It brought together young people, institutions, and communities through the power of sport. It created friendships, encouraged healthy competition, promoted unity, and demonstrated what is possible when the youth are given a vision worth believing in.
Appreciation
We extend our profound appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the National Sports Council, and all other public institutions whose support and encouragement contributed to the success of this historic initiative.
We are equally grateful to the Gambia Football Federation,PURA, Global Properties, Hassan Juuf , Atlantic Tv , the PIU officers,Sadibou Kamaso,Hon Amadou Sanneh , Hon Lamin K Saidy ,Her Worship Rohey Malick Lowe and the Gambia Red Cross Society, including the Bakoteh Home Red Cross Link through the Kanifing Municipal Branch, for their valuable support and contribution to the tournament.
We further acknowledge Honourable Babucarr Cham for his pioneering contribution and encouragement towards this initiative, as well as the Honourable Ministers of Youth and Sports, Higher Education, and all other stakeholders who supported this vision.
We warmly acknowledge all eight participating institutions:
- SupdeCo Banjul Campus
- University of The Gambia
- International Open University
- American International University West Africa
- The University of Education
- Civil Service University
- Hadigala International College
- University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology
To the leadership, student unions, coaches, players, technical teams, match officials, volunteers, security personnel, medical teams, supporters, and spectators from each institution, we say thank you. Your commitment, cooperation, and belief in the vision transformed this tournament from an idea into a landmark student sporting event.
Special recognition goes to the Supdeco Students’ Union for conceiving and championing this remarkable initiative. Under the leadership of Madam Marie Darboe, the Union helped establish a meaningful precedent for student-led sports development, youth engagement, and institutional collaboration. The tournament was built on the principles of unity, discipline, leadership, and youth development.
To every participating institution: thank you for believing in the dream.
To every player: thank you for giving us moments to remember.
To every supporter: thank you for creating the atmosphere.
To every volunteer and official: thank you for serving with commitment.
And to UTG: congratulations. You are the first champions, and history will remember that.
The tournament is over. The trophy has found its first home. The photographs will preserve the memories. But the legacy has only just begun.
The next challenge is to make the Inter-Tertiary Football Tournament a permanent annual celebration of youth, education, football, and national unity. With the continued support of our institutions, partners, sponsors, students, and the wider Gambian community, this tournament can become a lasting tradition for generations to come.
This was more than a tournament.
This was a statement.
This was a beginning.
This was history in motion.
The inaugural Inter-Tertiary Football Tournament has come to an end. The legacy begins now.⚽🏆🇬🇲
National Youth Council - The GambiaGambia Football FederationMinistry of Youth & SportsThe Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority - PURAGlobal Properties (Gambia) LimitedUniversity of The Gambia Students' UnionCivil Service University Students' UnionAmerican International University West Africa SUGUniversity of Education The Gambia - UEGHadigala College Students' Union PageInternational Open University (IOU) - The Gambia
