Play football and go to jail

President Yahya Jammeh wants farming, not football

The President of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, is threatening draconian measures to improve agricultural output in the country.

He wants football halted in rural areas during the rainy season when crops need tending.

And he has said that those who defy the football ban should go to prison.

Those who disobey my orders will be sent to jail

President Jammeh

It is during the wet months - from June to October - that the traditional "Nawetane" football tournament grips the entire country.

Every village and community across the land enters a team, and the following and interest is far greater than Gambia's national league.

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But President Jammeh says that the Nawetane is a distraction which prevents people putting in enough effort in farming.

"The time wasted organising football matches could be better spent in the fields," the president said at a meeting in the rural Central River district.

"You have been warned," he added. "You know that Janjangbureh Prison is not far. Those who disobey my orders will be sent to jail".

Only the region around the capital Banjul is exempt from the football ban, because there is little arable land there.

Jammeh said that in rural areas, the Nawetane tournament should take place in the dry season so there is no clash of interests.

Although few believe that anyone will end up in prison if they are found playing football, it is expected that local officials in rural areas will stop the Nawetane from being played.

More than 70% of Gambians are involved in agriculture, which is still largely organised on a community and family level.