The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with FIFA on Monday 28th June started a four-day capacity building seminar for women’s football administrators at the National Technical Training Center in Old Yundum.
The virtual course brought together 24 participants from all spectrum of women’s football including the clubs, allied associations, regional associations and the women’s football committee aimed at widening the horizon of a competent and skilled women’s football managers in football administration.
Declaring the course opened, the GFF President Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo congratulated the Women’s Football Unit under the Technical Department for their resilience, passion and determination geared towards the realization of the course. Mr Bajo thanked the Women’s Football Coordinator Sainey Sissoho M’Boge and her team to see this course becoming a reality.
He thanked his colleagues and friends at FIFA, singling out the women’s football development team for accompanying them from the formulation of this great idea to its approval and implementation. “A lot has been achieved and this course couldn’t have come at a better time. We have broken the taboo of parents denying their girls to play football. Now, they don’t only allow their female children to play the game but they support and watch their games,” Mr. Bajo remarked.
He said the GFF won’t relent in giving its unflinching support to see women’s football flying high through organizing friendly matches and participating at both regional and international competitions. Mr. Bajo added that women’s football is his “baby and in spite of the challenges, it has gained numerous achievements and overtaken the men’s game in the FIFA ranking and this course is another booster alongside the UEFA ASSIST amongst other programs.”
The Women’s Football Coordinator Sainey Sissohore M’boge underscored the significance of the training attributing the course to a great team work and efforts from her office and FIFA. While thanking the Federation and FIFA, she expressed optimism that the course will impact positively in the knowledge building of the participants.
Speaking earlier, the newly elected President of the Women’s Football Association Ms. Sainabou Cham said: “I have no doubt that all of us present here as participants will give the course its utmost attention because it’s my believe that the capacity building program will reach the level of success we all expect and hope that we will all leave here with new talents and ideas that will help us in our drive to move women’s football to the next level.”
Speaking from its FIFA Headquarters in Zurich via Zoom, Arijana Demirovic, FIFA Head of Women’s Football Development highlighted the significance attached to the training, which she noted is the beginning of the next chapter of success. While acknowledging the efforts of the GFF Women’s Football Unit and the Federation, she reassured her office’s continues support to promoting women’s football in the country. She also encouraged participants to make best use of the course with FIFA expert trainers and hopes that her office will one day visit the country to see the impact of the course.
The instructors include Thuba Sibanda the FIFA Technical Expert as lead officer, Karl Lines FIFA Consultant, Tyson Scott, Sue Ronan and Violet Jubane.
The opening ceremony was also attended by General Secretary Mr. Lamin M. Jassey, Technical Director Sang John Ndong, Communications and Marketing Director Baboucarr Camara Director and Youth and Grassroots Manager Ebrima Nyassi.
