The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Thursday 22nd April, 2021, signed a three-year partnership agreement with Tempo Sport, a football manufacturing company based in Austria, Europe, to become the official match day ball providers for the domestic Gambian competitions.
As part of the agreement, Tempo Sport, a FIFA approved match ball provider, will be giving 1000 (one thousand) footballs to the GFF in each of the three years at no cost, which balls, shall be the only exclusive balls that the Federation will use in its domestic competitions across the country.
The signing ceremony showed the GFF President Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo and Ebrima Sohna the proprietor and chief executive officer of ESohna Network, whose company served as the intermediary between the two bodies, exchanged contract documents in a colourful ceremony held at Football House.
“This is a historic moment in the history of our football. Even though this partnership will save us money that we are very much in need of, our biggest motivation is the person involved. Ebrima Sohna as a player did not wait until he hanged up his boots to contribute to Gambian football which is a great plus for us,” Mr. Bajo said, while speaking at the signing ceremony.
The GFF boss further enjoined other former and present footballers to follow suit, saying his doors are always opened for anything geared towards the development of football in this country. He reassured Sohna and Tempo Sport of Football House’s commitment to the partnership.
For his part, Sohna thanked the leadership of GFF for their commitment in developing the game. “I believe in giving and contributing to the good course that GFF is doing for football development in this country. Even if I stop playing, I will continue supporting. I cannot be sitting and throwing words like others but I believe in contributing my part,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the first Vice President and head of admin and finance at the GFF, Mr. Bakary K. Jammeh, said the partnership is beneficial to both parties because the Federation will give Tempo Sport visibility. He thanked Ebrima Sohna for what he described as a brilliant initiative.
The Second Vice President and GFF’s head of domestic and international competitions, Mr. Ebou Faye, said the balls will complement Football House’s efforts in ensuring quality football. “This is a good initiative, we are currently rehabilitating the grounds, and coaches are been trained thus the onus is now on the players to play quality football,” he added.