The
Gambia national U-18 female handball team on Saturday 17th June 2017 commenced
training at the Independence Stadium handball court as part of preparation for
the fourth-coming Zone II tournament to be held in Mauritania.
20
players from various teams are invited for training ahead of the tournament
that will take place from 23rd – 30th July 2017 in Nouakchott.
Speaking
to Haruna Cham, Secretary General Gambia Handball Association at the team’s
training ground in Bakau last Saturday, he said all Zone II countries are
expected to participate in the tournament.
He
noted that the reason for beginning preparation a month prior to the tournament
was to ensure they compete in full fitness.
He
pointed out that The Gambia is blessed with talented players but in previous
competitions they only trained for a week or two as those was fitness
tournaments.
He
appealed to the government and public for support, saying the team would be
representing The Gambia and not Gambia Handball Association.
Cham,
who is also the Zone II Secretary General said the executive of the current
body have came up with new initiatives after assuming office, adding that among
them are staging competitions for various categories as there was only a
tournament for U-20 players in the past.
According
to him, they intend to stage yearly tournament to keep players of all age
categories active.
Cham
also took time to discuss the national league, saying it would resume after
Koriteh.
He
described this year’s tournament as very competitive with no one capable of
predicting who the winner would be.
This,
he noted, shows that handball is developing in the country as in previous year
the tournament use to be dominated by Bakau teams.
He
also appealed to companies and anyone who could sponsor the league to come
forward and support them as they have written letters to various companies but
are yet to receive a positive response.
“Handball
is growing and is a peaceful game,” he concluded.
