Officials from Medina United Football Academy of Lamin were at Football House on Tuesday where they discussed partnership agreements with The Gambia Football Federation President Mr. Lamin Kabba Bajo.
Mr. Michael Nicol and brother Tijan Masaneh Ceesay said they visited Football House because they’re not oblivious to the fact that there’s no one that can successfully implement football development in The Gambia without the support from the Federation, especially the magnitude of investment that they’re currently rolling out.
The also disclosed to the GFF boss that they’re starting a national youth league comprising of players between the ages of eight and 13 that will bring together 96 teams in both boys and girls categories. The Academy is in partnership with Capelli Sport, an American sportswear and footwear company based in New York, United States.
Mr. Ceesay said everything at the Academy is free for the members, adding that coaches are equally teachers while the General Manager is currently a Principal at a school. He said it is a combination of sports and an academy together. “Partnership with the GFF is very important especially with the importance that FIFA attaches to youth football,” Mr. Ceesay, who is a veteran sports broadcaster and the author of the book, Gambian Football, 1975-1985: An Insider’s Review, said.
Mr. Nicol made similar remarks and disclosed that every year, two young players will leave for the United States of America to study and at the same time play soccer on scholarship. He said the Academy needs partnership from the GFF, most especially in terms of the logistical support.
The President of the GFF, Mr. Bajo assured them of his unflinching support towards football development in the country. He assured them that the Federation will sign a formal MoU with the Academy to serve as a guiding document in terms of the partnership agreement.
Mr. Bajo also promised to visit the facilities where an ultra-modern multipurpose sports facility is currently under construction. The facility includes football pitches, a hotel, conference center amongst others.
