Football unites; politics divides. The Scorpions must avoid political disputes and focus strictly on the game. Football’s core value is unity.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

Yankuba Minteh’s call for a national‑team boycott has intensified debate over The Gambia’s stalled Independence Stadium project and exposed how quickly even football can be dragged into the country’s toxic cycle of politicization and tribalization. In a nation where every issue, no matter how mundane, is swiftly reframed through partisan or ethnic lenses, football must remain the last sanctuary of unity. Revisiting the deeper meaning of patriotism, responsibility, and national service, Alagi Yorro Jallow argues that the Scorpions must stand above the fray, not as bargaining chips in political battles, but as symbols of cohesion in a fractured republic.

Yankuba Minteh’s recent call for a boycott of the national team has ignited a new and uncomfortable debate in Gambian football. The Brighton winger, one of the country’s brightest young talents in the Premier League, has openly urged fellow Scorpions to refuse call‑ups until the long‑delayed rehabilitation of the Independence Stadium is completed. “I’m behind this strike,” he declared, suggesting that other players privately share his frustrations but fear the backlash of speaking out.

His comments highlight not just infrastructure failures, but a key question: Should national team representation serve political ends? If football becomes politicized, we risk losing our last unifying national symbol. Football’s strength lies in fostering unity above political or tribal lines. Yet, in The Gambia, even football risks being politicized, a harmful trend we must resist to preserve national unity.

We have seen it repeatedly: a national debate begins, and within hours it is reframed through the lenses of party loyalty, ethnic identity, or regional rivalry. The Independence Stadium issue is no exception. What should be a straightforward conversation about infrastructure and accountability has already begun to mutate into political theatre and tribal insinuation. Football must remain apolitical, the arena where Gambians unite. Using football for political gain, even for worthy grievances, threatens our strongest remaining bond of national unity.

Yankuba Minteh is a gifted young footballer with a bright future. His frustrations are understandable. The prolonged closure of the Independence Stadium is a national embarrassment. The government and the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) have failed to deliver timely, transparent, and credible solutions. Players deserve better. Fans deserve better. The country deserves better. Yet as emotions run high, it is essential to consider the broader implications for national solidarity. Yet a boycott risks a dangerous precedent. National duty is not transactional. Patriotism must be unconditional. Representing Gambia is a privilege and responsibility, not a political tool.

Minteh, like many others, should draw inspiration from Musa Barrow’s exemplary character rather than airing grievances on social media. To echo the profound words of John F. Kennedy, true patriotism demands not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

There is a pervasive sense of entitlement among certain segments of Gambians, a belief that past representation or service entitles one to perpetual benefits from the nation. This mindset conveniently overlooks the reciprocal responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society.

This culture of entitlement has long been a stumbling block in our collective efforts to dismantle the dictatorship. Selfishness and individualism prevented too many Gambians from making the sacrifices necessary for national progress. Now, in the era of democracy, opportunists have emerged, eager to exploit the hard‑won freedoms achieved by those who truly dedicated themselves to our nation’s liberation. This disheartening trend undermines the very fabric of patriotism and unity. The tension between expectations and responsibilities leads us to ask: Is it fair to question what the government and GFF are doing for players? But it is equally fair to ask what our international footballers are doing for The Gambia.

Beyond representing the nation in competitions, what tangible contributions have they made toward national development? It is troubling to witness some players resorting to public criticism of the government and the federation, citing logistical shortcomings and inadequate compensation. While such concerns are valid, they pale in comparison to the larger question: What are you doing to elevate the lives of your fellow Gambians?

Across Africa, global football stars have used their platforms for philanthropy and humanitarian endeavors. Sadio Mané built hospitals, schools, and infrastructure in Senegal. Ahmed Musa has funded countless community projects in Nigeria. These men understand that success is not merely personal; it is communal.

Musa Barrow’s generosity also deserves recognition. By sponsoring the Smiling Coast Fan Club youth to attend AFCON in Ivory Coast and cheer for the Scorpions, Barrow demonstrated a profound understanding of the power of community and solidarity. He stands as a shining example of selflessness, proving that success and generosity can and should go hand in hand.

So why can’t other Scorpions follow in the footsteps of Barrow, Mané, and Musa? Why can’t they dedicate their resources to supporting students in need, funding healthcare initiatives, or creating opportunities for Gambian youth? Rather than indulging in performative displays of success on social media, players can actively invest in improving their nation and, in doing so, further strengthen national unity.

Patriotism is not a cloak of entitlement, nor is it a one‑sided transaction. It is a deeply held commitment to the greater good. It is about celebrating those like Ebou Sillah, who selflessly bore personal expenses to represent The Gambia, embodying the true essence of sacrifice and dedication. Footballers are more than athletes; they represent national pride. Their actions can build unity or cause division. Their choice defines the nation’s cohesion.

Let us keep football untainted by politics and tribalism. Let’s uphold its spirit of unity. The government must fix the stadium, the GFF must reform, players must stay committed, and the public must not politicize football. Let football remain Gambia’s beacon of hope and unity.