Alieu K. Jammeh, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has told Poinsport that Gambia for Gold Committee was able to raise more than D5 million in Saturday's Telethon TV programme at the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS).
The minister of Youth and Sports, members of the Gambia for Gold Committee and the Gambia Football Association were part of a rigorous live fundraising campaign carried out over the national television to generate funds for the Gambia U-20's and U-17's participation in the forthcoming African championships.
The programme, Jammeh said, was meant for people to call and pledge to give money for the campaign. Users of any of the four GSM company networks in the country can call the dedicated line of 2222 to contribute to the fundraising exercise, which has so far generated a little more than D5 million.
Jammeh says their target is to raise a minimum of D15 million for the Gambia national U-17 and U-20 teams to participate in the continental championships following their qualifications.
He added that it would be better if they have more to help the national senior team.
The fundraising campaign, he notes, is for a period of four years.
"Government and it partners have contributed funds towards sports development and out of those funds D18.1m has been spent on it, principally on football," he explained.
Although government has done much, it is not enough, he says, appealing to the general public to give more support to the initiative.
