Jan Vermulen, a Dutch national and founder of Foundation Gambia Sports, has donated jerseys, balls and other football materials to Gift of Nema football Academy in Nemakunku village.
The donation, made over the weekend, was meant to encourage the playing of soccer, fitness and developing of youth football talents in the area and its surrounding.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Jan Verlumen said football is a business entity and involves too much money.
Football associations cannot do it all alone, and therefore it needs people like him to come on board and do their quota, Verlumen said.
He went on to assure the academy that this was just the beginning, and that they would get his full support provided that they take soccer and education seriously.
Mr. Verlumen added that his aim is to take football to the highest desirable standards in The Gambia.
He said that this was not his first time being involved in Gambian sports, particularly football, adding that he has worked with divisional clubs, and football academies and local Nawettan clubs in the Greater Banjul Area and its surroundings.
He advised the kids to take soccer and education seriously, saying that the sky will be the limit for them.
Mustapha Jallow, one of the founders of the academy, expressed his delight and appreciation to Mr. Verlumen for the magnanimous gesture, and promised that the football materials would be put into good use.
Mr. Jallow urged other people to emulate Mr. Verlumen in order for sports to reach where Gambians want it to be.
Jakaria Bah also a founder of the academy expressed similar sentiments, revealing that he and Mustapha Jallow are the founder of the academy, which they deemed necessary to give a chance to the children of Nemakunku village and it’s surroundings to learn the basic skills of soccer at a very young age.
He said that the academy comprises training and developing of young players age 8-17. The kids are being assisted by Lamin Owens, a former Gambian international footballer.
