The President of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has applauded the “Qfootball Soccer School Summer Camp 2016” for successfully hosting the first ever camp for the children of the Qgroup (i.e. children of the staff of Qcell) and other children outside the Qgroup.
Lamin Kaba Bajo was speaking on Friday during the awarding of certificates to 105 children from Qgroup and outside Qgroup for completing two months’ “Qfootball Soccer School Summer Camp 2016” at Qcell Naturelle Mineral Water Company in Bijilo.
The GFF boss first recognised the efforts of Qgroup for the initiative and as well thanked parents for allowing their children to take part in the camp adding that football is more than what it used to be (i.e. leisure, part time or fitness for health). He went on to describe football as a business, while affirming that Qcell’s initiative is to fill the sports investment and development vacuum left by the business sector in the country.
The GFF President, suggested that sports be private sector-led, giving examples of the EPL and La Liga in which he said are clubs that are business-oriented.
“There can be no sustainable football development or achievement without the right structures in place, and academies among others are very important in that drive,” he pointed out.
Bajo described Qcell as pace-setters in the area of academics, sports excellence and national development and assured Qgroup of his office’s support and partnership.
The CEO of Qcell, Muhammed Jah expressed his profound gratitude to all those who graced the occasion especially the parents.
“This occasion was made possible through the enabling environment created by His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Babili Mansa,” Jah said.
According to him, once the complex is ready it will house different sporting events for all categories of people and families, thus different schools will also be in the QFootball Soccer School.
Jah urged the children in the camp to have discipline, respect for their parents and teachers. He also advised them to read well in school if they want to be part of the school.
The Qcell boss also promised GFF President that his school will abide by whatever rules GFF puts to them when it comes to sports development in the country.
Alhagie Amat Cham, the coach for the Qfootball Soccer School Summer Camp said out of the 105 children, 21 came from Qgroup while 84 came from outside Qgroup. He affirmed that the main purpose of the camp was for children to enjoy their holiday rather than loitering in the streets.
He further informed that the age categories of children who participated in the camp were divided into three; namely 7-10, 11-13 and 14-16.
by Lamin B. Darboe
