The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in collaboration with the Schools Football Association on Thursday 2nd June, 2022 launched the Pan African Schools Football championship initiative in The Gambia. The ceremony, held at Football House in Kanifing, was presided over by GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo who hailed the initiative as monumental.
The initiative, according to Mr. Bajo, is cradled by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe to give opportunity to young boys and girls under the ages of 15 to showcase their talents. “The project is supported by FIFA and the GFF will not relent on its efforts to support grassroots football development through the School Football Association,” he said, however, he went further to stress the need for schools to fill in players with the right ages. “This is another historic occasion where GFF can be proud of.” The President of the Schools Football Association Mr. Ismaila Ceesay congratulated the GFF for being the main sponsors of schools’ football in the country. He described the launch event as historic and significant. “This is a historic but also a monumental gathering in the development of grassroots football. The GFF have been the main sponsors of our Association and I want to thank them for that,” he affirmed. Mr Ceesay added that his Association will not relent in their efforts to eradicate all forms of cheating in school sports, especially age.
Speaking earlier, the GFF Technical Director Sang Ndong as well as the Youth and Grassroots Football Manager Ebrima Nyassi both encouraged the schools to abide by the rules and regulations, while urging them to take the championship seriously. The ceremony was later characterised with a presentation of match balls to all participating schools sponsored by the GFF. Also in attemdance were Executive Committee members of the GFF, physical education teachers, Executive Committee of the Schools Football Association and staff of the GFF Secretariat