The Gambia Football Federation has concluded a week long training of new Female Referees that aspires to be inducted into the FIFA list of global female Referees.The program ended on Sunday 22nd September at the National Technical Training Centre in Yundum with a record breaking 30 new aspirants.
The new Referees were introduced into the basics of refereeing while also touching on the laws of the game.
Depuitzing for the GFF Boss 3rd Vice President Rtd Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba said the GFF has placed high premium and great ambition to develop all areas of Football. “These includes Coaches, Administrators, Referees and Medics”(CARM). He ssid under the Kaba led Executive, all sectors that need improvements would be looked into so as to accelerate “the National Football Development Plan(NFDP) a four year development plan that aspires to promote and develope football within the prescribed period.
Gen Tamba described the training as a success and urged the Female graduates to take the lessons seriously. “Promotion of the game doesn’t only rely on players but Referees as well. The Federation wants to see more female referees in the competitions and so we will provide all the enabling environment to see you excel” he noted.
He urged participants to be committed and determined to achieve success citing Gambia’s only female FIFA Referee Isatou Touray as a role model and GFF’s pride IN Women’s Football.
He encouraged participants to take the profession seriously. “I can tell you that you have the blessing of the President Lamin Kaba Bajo who is very passionate about women’s football and its development”.
Also speaking at the closing was Executive Committee member Sadibou Kamaso who also hailed the training as laudable. “This is one of the pledges from FIFA and one of the strongest pillars of the President’s development plan”. Mr Kamaso further urged the participants to maintain respect and discipline at all times. “Try to improve yourselves everyday by working hard and watching games to learn more”, he told the aspirants. He further challenged the Referees Association to schedule the country’s only Female FIFA Referee Isatou Touray to play in the men’s 1st Division leagues “because she is a role model for any aspiring Female referee”.
Referees instructors Bubacarr Jallow and John Frank Mendy both commended the graduating participants for their commitment and selflessness during the course of the training.
They urged the participants to be loyal to the Federation while requesting the Football leadership to also maintain the new cohort of female referees who could be the next generation of Gambia’s queens of the whistle.
A participant Mariama Manga gave the vote of thanks. She thanked the GFF for giving them hope to follow their dreams. “This is a great privilege for us. We thank the Federation for recognizing the need to promote female referees and football. We also thank them for opening doors of opportunity for women in the country” She said.
This participants were presented with certificates at the end of the program.
The closing ceremony was also attended by Exco Member Alagie Faye, GFF General Secretary Lamin M Jassey and Human Resources and Admin Manager Demba K Darboe. The program was jointly coordinated by German Gambia Women’s Football Project Coordinator Monica Staab.
