In a media release sent to Pointsports, Lamin M. Ceesay, president of the GDSA, said: “I am appealing to the Gambia government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and stakeholders in sport - BE FAIR PLAY - to make it a point of duty to consider this first-ever great opportunity for our beloved Gambian Deaf in Sports.”
He added: “I am sure there are football funds in place at the ministry of youth and sports and its stakeholder institutions in sport development. I mean the funds which were kept in place to cover the expenses of national football teams on international football matches. Unfortunately, if our non-disabled national teams such as U20 were banned, then let the funds be available and given to the National Deaf Scorpions FC to bring fruits for all to enjoy.”
“Since we have only two months to go, I would like to have all my players at the camp for a series of trainings and then build confidence and trust in them,” he went on.
“This could be possible if our government (Ministry of Youth and Sports) and its stakeholders give us their positive approval and permission like other African countries that have already confirmed their participation and payments.”
They want to camp the players and officials “as quickly as possible”, Mr Ceesay also said, adding: “We must resume training in order to achieve our goals at the said Deaf Cup of Nations.
“We want to attain excellence in sports BE FAIR PLAY and bring glory to the nation.”
He also said anyone willing to help them can reach him on: +220 77 28 0 92 SMS or +220 88 0 55 99. Email lams_lamin@yahoo.co.uk
John S.A. Yusuf, Secretary General of CADS, in his letter to the Gambia Deaf Sports Association, said: “The Confederation of African Deaf Sports (CADS), the sole governing body of deaf sports under the structure of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf ICDS, wishes to confirm that Gambia Deaf Sports Association (GDSA) is one of our member federations with rights for football team and officials to participate in the above-mentioned competition in Accra, Ghana.”
The letter added: “The suspension of the Gambia National non-disabled football teams from all international football matches under the order of the FIFA/CAF is no longer in line with CADS status, having nothing to do with our beloved relationship with Gambia Deaf Association GDSA Football team.
“We strongly support their request for financial and materials assistance to participate in the tournament successfully. This will also support the empowerment policy of the government and make them productive.”
In conclusion it said: “We wish to thank you for your kind consideration and approval of their request.”
