The newly rehabilitated state-of-the-art Banjul Mini-stadium recently hosted the U-15 and U-19 inter-academy Mini-football festival organised by Asia-Europe Group under the stewardship of Kabba Ceesay.
The six-team football festival bonanza comprised Asia Europe Academy U-15 and U-19 teams A and B and
In his keynote address, the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports, Sheriff M.L. Gomez, who graced the occasion, commended the Asia-Africa Group and the organizers for the noble venture, which he said, is in line with his ministry’s quest for the attainment of Excellence in Sports through mass participation.
He noted: “Catching them young” is a philosophy that has always paid dividend as it’s through such programmes and activities that great and talented players at a tender age are identified, nurtured and developed to attain their optimum.”
The managing director of Asia-Europe Group, Majid Lavji, thanked all those who have made this project in The Gambia a success, especially the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alhagie O.B. Konateh, Alhagi Ousainou Njie (of blessed memory), Kabba Ceesay, executive director of Asia-Europe Academy - The Gambia, Banjul Mayor Samba Faal, the Gambia Football Association Executive, Gamtel, and West Coast Radio and Peter Gomez, for their unflinching support and effort in promoting and developing sports and especially youth football.
He enjoined Gambians and non-Gambians, home and abroad, to make this project their own and help in its quality assurance and development for the benefit of The Gambia and Gambian youths, especially football, for sustainable development and socio-economic enhancement,
employment creation and eradication of poverty through sports and sporting activities.
Talking on the rationale for the mini-football festival, Kabba Ceesay, the executive director, indicated that the aims and objectives of the tournament are to showcase the youthful talents abound at our disposal in the country and also to whet the appetite of all Gambians in anticipation of the forthcoming International Football Festival and Conference billed for November 2011 to be held in The Gambia.
He urged stakeholders to exercise and maintain maximum discipline to sell the good image of The Gambia and the beautiful game.
Present at the opening ceremony were the Minster of Youth and sports, Hon. Sheriff M.L. Gomez; Honorable Life President of the GFA, Alhagie O.B. Conateh; Deputy Permanent Secretary, Sports, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Abdoulie Kah; Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council, Mamoud Max Jallow; Managing Director of Asia-Europe Group, Majid Lavji; GFA Technical Director, Kebba Ceesay; members of the Banjul Sports Committee among other distinguished personalities, as well as sports enthusiasts.
Alhagie Ousainou Njie (of Blessed Memory) and Alhagie O.B. Conateh both received awards for their unflinching support for Gambian football.
Tournament facts:
07/03/2011Asia Europe Academy U15 Team (A) lost one nil to Banjul academy U15
08/03/2011
Asia Europe Academy U19 Team (A) drawn nil-nil against Banjul Academy U19
09/03/2011
Banjul Academy U15 drawn one all with Asia Europe Academy U15 Team (B)
10/03/2011
Asia Europe Academy U19 Team (A) defeated Asia Europe Academy U19 Team (B) by 3
goals to one
11/03/2011
Asia Europe Academy U15 Team (B) Vs Asia Europe Academy U15 Team (A) ended 2 all
draw
12/03/2011
Banjul U19 Vs Asia Europe Academy U19 Team (B) ended one all draw
Tournament Summary
6 matches were played; two wins and four draws recorded with a total of 13 goals
scored which is an average of 2.1 goals per game.
Banjul academy won the under 15’s trophy
Played 2, won one, drew one and scored 2 goals recorded 6 points
Asia Europe Academy (B) team were runners-up
Played 2, drew 2 and scored 3 goals recorded 5 points
Asia Europe Academy (A) team came out bottom
Played 2, lost one drew one scored 2 goals recorded 3 points
The U19 trophy goes to Asia Europe Academy under 19 team (A)
Played 2, won one, drew one scored 3 goals recorded 7 points
Banjul Academy U19 were runners-up
Played 2, drawn 2 scored one goal recorded 3 points
Asia Europe Academy (B) team came out bottom
Played 2, drawn one, lost one and scored 2 goals recorded 3 points
Most exciting player U15’s goes to Modou Sohna of Asia Europe Academy
Top goal scorer U15’s goes to Ramond Mendy of Asia Europe Academy with 2 goals
Most exciting player U19’s goes to Omar Jabang of Asia Europe Academy.
