by Samba Jawo
The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) in collaboration with The Gambia Football Coaches Association (GFCA) on Saturday hosted an award night for local coaches that have successfully completed the CAF B and C licences courses.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the GFF, Bakary K. Jammeh, an Executive Committee member of the Federation congratulated the coaches, describing them as deserved recipients. Jammeh said the GFF is highly committed to the development of all technical cadres of football as enshrined in its strategic football development plan.
“Our plan to develop and expand the capacity of coaches is manifested in the continuous training programmes designed for them in order to upgrade their technical capabilities, hence football is about technical and tactical,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Federation’s resolve to help the Coaches Association all the way to make their dreams a reality. “Let me assure you that the GFF is committed to strengthening the capacity of all structures of the Federation to also put in place competent and efficient personnel to deliver the desired results,” he reaffirmed.
Jammeh thanked CAF for the support to the Federation, disclosing that many more assistance programmes are in the pipeline for the GFF. He emphasised that all stakeholders will be part of the project.
The President of the Coaches Association, Pa Suwareh Faye, challenged the recipients to live up to expectations. “Your licences are not for you alone but should translate the knowledge gained from the coaching courses to benefit the players and the nation as a whole,” he said.
He added that it is a pre-condition from CAF that any coach henceforth must be a CAF certified licence holder in order to sit on a team’s technical bench.
He thanked the GFF for all the support in terms of monetary, logistical and moral for the success of all their programmes. “Without the support and collaboration of the GFF executive and staff, we would not have arrived at this point,” he affirmed.
