Phrase two of the ongoing Gambia Football Federation (GFF) grassroots football programme for girls within the Kanifing Municipality beings on Monday 25th March 2019 at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium.
Speaking in an interview with this medium after the official opening, Monika Staab the lead trainer said there are lots of potentials out there but they need get opportunities as their male counterparts. “We have so many boys’ football academies in the country but we don’t have many girls’ academies.” He said the programme is special dedicated for girls of grade 3, 4 and 5, noting that it started in February in Banjul and Kanifing Municipality will be done within March and then it continue to the rest of the country.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Abdoulie Kah, said his Ministry is motivated to take part in the programme to implement the “catch the young” slogan and to partner with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the GFF to develop school sports. Mr. Kah said even if Monika goes back at the end of her two-year contract, the programme will continue because it involves P.E teachers from schools and there is a sports coordinator at the Ministry who will be tasked to supervise the continuation of the programme.
Lamin Kaba Bajo President of the GFF said development, mostly especially at the grassroots levels, is paramount. He stated that Monika’s services were secured through partnership between the GFF, the Ministry, The Gambia National Olympic Committee and the German Government and their NOC to help develop women’s football particularly the girls.
Mr. Bajo added that he is glad that the “Girls Live Your Goals” was able to break the cultural barriers in encouraging young girls and their parents to allow them play football. He described the turnout as very impressive, noting that this will help them through Monika Staap to identify the talents and help develop their talents to become good footballers in the future.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the General Secretary of the GFF, Mr. Lamin M. Jassey and the Director or Marketing and Communications, Mr. Baboucarr Camara as well as officials of the National Sports Council.