Football Gambia presents football materials to Gambian teams

Football Gambia, a UK-based charitable organization, on Wednesday at the GFA building in Kanifing presented quality football items to various first division teams and the Gambia national U-20 team valued at D196, 250.

The gesture, according to officials from the organisation, is part of the charity’s efforts at rendering support to Gambian people, particularly in football that every Gambian is enthusiastic about.

A total of six football teams from both the first and second division teams in the country benefited from these valuable football materials that included 10 footballs, 10 goalkeeper’s gloves, 25 pairs of training socks, 1 tactic board, and 1 set of marker.

The beneficiaries included Bakau United, Brikama United, Latrikunda United, Steve Biko Football Club, Seaview Football Club and Lamin United Football Club.

Speaking on the occasion, Jammeh E.K. Bojang, secretary general of the Gambia Football Association (GFA), heaped praises on Football Gambia for what he referred to as their valuable support to Gambian football.

Jammeh, who assured Football Gambia of GFA’s continual support in this worthy course, thanked the organisation profusely, saying he was fortunate to be part of “this massive presentation”.

“You can always count on the support of the GFA and we will always thank you for this wonderful gesture,” he assured the donors.

“We will help you to facilitate your work in The Gambia, and don’t hesitate to come to us to aid your work,” Jammeh said.

Jammeh, who repeatedly thanked Football Gambia on behalf of the GFA for their significant contribution in the development of Gambian football, said the presentation was a good gesture, adding that it will go a long way in enhancing the development of football in the country.

“This is where the strength of our game lies,” the GFA secretary general said. “We are very much appreciative of your wonderful support to Gambian football and we will work closely with you as a national association for the development of sports in The Gambia.”

The director of youth and sports at the sports ministry, Malang Jassey, for his part, said it was a pleasure for him to be part of the programme, noting that as the ministry responsible for sport, their mission and vision for the country is to achieve sports excellence.

This donation, according to him, is in line with the desire of the ministry and the government to raise the standard of sport in the country to the highest level.

“Football Gambia, I say thank you very much for complementing the effort of the Gambia government; your support will go a long way in trying to improve or develop football in The Gambia and it will also help to motivate the Gambia national U-20 team in their preparation for the upcoming Caf Championship in Libya,” Jassey said.

For his part, the treasurer and the trustee of Football Gambia, Dave Revell, said they were mainly in The Gambia to help Gambia football improve significantly.

He also used the occasion to thank everyone present at the presentation ceremony for their support.

“I also like to say a very big thank you to Umbro for providing these materials to us through our very good friend in Dubai,” he said, adding: “We are thankful to KGH Sports Academy for their support.”

In attendance at the presentation ceremony were senior GFA officials including Kemo Ceesay, who said Football Gambia is working in collaboration with KGH Sports Academy in Lamin under the directive of Yahya Manneh, country director of Football Gambia whose ultimate aim is to improve the standard of football in the Gambia at the grass root level.