Upon
returning from the IHF Challenge Zone Two Handball Championships Guinea Conakry
2016, Warriors, the oldest handball club in the country, hosted its Senegalese
counterparts ASC Saloum Handball Club de Kaolack for a series international
friendly which wrapped up at the weekend.
A
combination of male and female ASC Saloum handball club de Kaolack arrived on
Gambian soil on Thursday morning and were installed in Kanifing School during
their programs.
The
commencement of the triangular international handball friendly played on Friday
September, 23 should have taken place at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, but
due to a mega Bakau Nawettan football semi-final scheduled on the same day and
on the same national stadium compound, host Warriors shifted their opening
games to the Senegalese French School in Kanifing.
The
games opener was played between the female teams of the two sides with host
Warriors allowing ASC Saloum girls to play and controlled the ball to their
satisfaction.
ASC
Saloum forward Khady Ndiaye was instrumental in front for her side scoring most
of the goals for them.
As
the game continued to prevail, the gins of Kachically came to Warriors with
exceptional Tida Bojang, Amie Manneh, Awa Bojang and Manyima Colley all impressing
and they did bring smiles on the faces of their followers.
The
two sides were tight on 9-9 at half time but the host went on to win the
encounter 18-15 at full time. Tida Bojang scored individual goals of 5 for
Warriors while ASC Saloum’s lanky forward Khady Ndiaye scored individual goals
of 6 even though she lost that fixture.
On
the same day, ASC Saloum de Kaolack boys took on Kong Bi Handball Club of
Latrikunda German on the same venue.
ASC
Saloum Handball Club de Kaolack girls returned to action on Saturday at the
Independence Stadium handball court and relieved their distress when they hit
Gambia Warriors females 17-13.
In
the male category also played on the same venue, Warriors boys lost to ASC
Saloum by 21-18.
On
Sunday September 24th, all attention was shifted to Ocean Bay Hotel sandy
beaches for beach handball. The lunch time handball showed a mixture of
Gambia-Senegal Warriors and ASC Saloum playing farewell games.
The
games were meant to cement the cordial relationship and mutual understanding
between the two clubs - Gambia Warriors and ASC Saloum of Kaolack - who played
in the second tiers of the Senegalese handball league.
ASC
Saloum head coach Titor described the international friendly between the two
sides as a milestone in maintaining the aims and objectives of the two giant
clubs.
He
thanked host Warriors and the entire Gambia handball family for their
hospitality.
Speaking
on behalf of the Gambia Handball Association (GHA), Secretary General Haruna
Cham expressed delight with the international handball friendly initiated by
Gambia Warriors and ASC Saloum of Kaolack in Senegal.
The
event is worthy of emulating, Cham added, while urging handball athletes in the
country and their club leaders to continue the brotherhood in the interest of
the game as handball is one among the rapid growing sports events in The
Gambia.
