Seaview Group, owner of Seaview Garden and Bamboo Hotels, has given an 80% reduction in terms of accommodation for all categories of the Gambia’s national football teams.
The offer, which also applies to both hotels, according to the Group, would also see both Seaview Garden and Bamboo Hotel charging at half the price of food to be consumed by the teams while lodged at their facilities.
Instead of the D2500 that the hotels used as a standard charge for the double rooms categories, Seaview Group is now offering the same service for D500, meaning D250 per person, representing an 80% reduction.
The offer also includes visiting national teams to the country. This is relevant because African teams made special arrangements where the host Federation takes care of accommodation of their visitors whenever they are involved in international competitions.
This package, which will run for an initial period of 12 months starting with immediate effect, according to the Group, is in response to a national call geared towards contributing to the development of football in The Gambia.
This offer, as stated in a letter addressed to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu Kebba Jammeh, was made to the Government of The Gambia, the main financiers of the national teams.
It is expected that the millions that the Government would save in terms of hotel accommodation from the proposed agreement would now be diverted into other areas of football development in the country.
“The Seaview Group will continue to relentlessly render support where deemed necessary, all geared towards enabling The Gambia Football Federation achieve its desired goals,” a letter signed by the Group Chairman Hatib Janneh Jr, stated.
“This rate has been pegged to enable the hotel meet certain overheads like electricity and other related costs.”
The Group also expressed its heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency the President for being the first patron in the campaign, and laying the platform for them to follow suit.
The Seaview Group over the last decade has contributed immensely towards revitalising our football structure. As a partner of The Gambia for Gold campaign, the four-year initiative spearheaded by President Jammeh, which was responsible for the financing of the national teams between 2010 and 2014, the Seaview Group had donated D2, 000, 000 during the period of the campaign.
“This was further cemented by the scouting of the then much needed Coach Mr. Paul Put, by the Chairman of our Group Mr. Hatib Janneh Jr, who bore all costs relating to his accommodation, feeding and other dues, during his three months stay in The Gambia. This was to enable the GFF finalise contract with him without risking the fact of losing him, giving regards to the cost burden attached over that period of waiting to sign a contract,” the Seaview letter added.
“You will agree with me that the GFF is at present facing constraints in the football administration and thus need assistance. This situation prompted our move.”
The Group concluded by extending its sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the Scorpion U-20 team for their victory against Sierra Leone, “thus restoring confidence in the football fraternity.”