Sierra Leone’s Women’s League Division One side Mogbwemo Queens Football Club on Friday July 5, visited the offices of The Gambia Football Federation in Kanifing for a courtesy call on the football leadership.
The teams’ officials headed by its CEO Emmanuel Tondoneh met with officials of the GFF at a meeting presided over by the 1st Vice President Alhaji Bakary K. Jammeh at the Board Room. The team is a guest of Raptim Football Club in the Gambia Women’s League and are in the country for series of friendly matches and exchange of best practices.
Expounding on their visit, Mr. Tondoneh said The Gambia is among a few countries in Africa where women’s football is on a high pedestal and as such, “we decided to make our trip here to build a relationship between the two countries, local teams and exchange best practice methods in women’s football.” He said Raptim Football Club is their first call up to see with them how Gambian football is run and coordinated in another perspective. “We are very happy to be here and exchange with you ways and means of how your women’s league is operating and also share with you ours because The Gambia has a very good women’s league competition,” he further remarked.
The Technical Director of the GFF, Mr. Sang John Ndong welcomed the team officials to Football House and thanked them for what he described as a good network.
Women’s Football Coordinator Sainey Sissohore described the visit as historic one. “We are humbled and delighted to receive you for this historic visit choosing The Gambia as a case study for women’s football.” She assured the officials of building a good relationship between the two countries.
The GFF 3rd Vice President General Lang Tombong Tamba assured the team of a fruitful exchange of best practices. “We can both achieve a lot through football by strengthening our relationship through mutual means and develop women’s football.”
For his part, GFF 1st Vice President Mr. Bakary K. Jammeh expressed his pleasure and happiness about the visit of Mogbwemo Queens FC. “For that fact that you have chosen The Gambia for your visit manifests that the two countries share a lot in common and the two Federations are both poised to develop and promote football.”
Mr. Jammeh briefly highlighted on the GFF Executive Committee’s strategic direction to developing women’s football. “We want to put male and women football at par, increase our player pool and strengthen the technical capabilities of our technicians and raise more awareness to the public,” he reaffirmed, noting that the GFF is conscious of what makes a functional football league to grow especially women’s league. He stated further that the legacy program as part of the four-year development plan, hiring of a Women’s Football Coordinator, a strong political will, a Women’s Football Committee amongst others as integral components of a striving and dedicated women’s football sector. He said the GFF within its limited resources is always at the forefront to cater for the running of the women’s football league without any hindrance.
The visiting team will hold friendly matches with hosts Raptim FC, Red Scorpions, City Girls and Abuko United.