by Modou Lamin Jammeh
Momodou Zaka Jallow, a young Gambian footballer based in Qatar, is said to be one of the country’s most exciting youngsters in the Gulf State.
The 15-year-old youngster started his football carrier at Foday Bah Memorial Academy in Manduar, Kombo Central, where he developed a dream and aspiration to someday become an international footballer.
Zaka, who is currently a player with the prestigious Aspire Football Academy in Doha, told Observer Light that football has tremendously transformed his life in a way that he can encourage anyone to do it.
“I was born to be a soccer player and forever I will be. My interest in football is huge and my focus of developing myself can never be distracted; as I always take the game seriously after knowing what I am meant to be,” he stated.
According to Jallow, Aspire Football Academy is one of the best academies in Qatar, as it makes and produces quality players that are tactically and technically fit and oriented to play in any league in the world. “I leant a lot and travelled to various European countries for games since I joined the Academy in 2014,” he noted.
The midfield general said he played against youth teams of Spanish sides Espanyol and Villarreal, and won a trophy against the much-acclaimed Barcelona Academy.
Zaka added that academy football is nice as it enables you to acquire all what it takes to be a professional. “Football has strategies and plans you need to develop yourself and it is only in an academy you can have the opportunity to learn various issues about all that. I am glad that my country, The Gambia is getting well blessed with academies that are working to develop youngsters,” he said. Momodou encouraged the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) to keep up the good work and continue supporting young players to showcase their skills and talents. “Football is a very special game as it brings unity, love and understanding amongst people. It is the world’s leading sport with a whole lot of opportunities,” he explained.
Zaka thanked each and every one helping him to attain his ultimate goals in football. He expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Observer Light team for exposing young Gambians with talent, ranging from the area of sports down to entertainment.
