The members of the Gambia Football Coaches Association have returned back from Sweden after their two weeks exchange program. The four members that included Pa Suwareh Faye, Ebou Faye, Dessamba Mbenga and Mariama Sowe have expressed satisfaction for the exposure and knowledge gained.

According to The President Pa Suwareh Faye they have attended training sessions with the Soccer Academy of Tessinskolan and also training with both male and female teams and after each training and matches there have been discussions concerning the training program and match tactics.

They also have lectures with Nykoping BIS Chairman on the organization of Swedish Football Clubs; lectures by the Chairman of Sodermandland’s Football Association on how the Swedish Football Association organizes Swedish football and the Principal of Tessinsskolan on the integration of physical training in Swedish schools.

The training has immensely enhanced and exposed them to various training methods and tactics; and how football is structured and integrated within the school system which the Gambia can emulate added Pa Faye.  

The GFCA have also signed a friendship agreement with NYkoping High School and Nykopings BIS which is a 2nd division club in Sweden in the development of cooperative partnership between the two parties. The agreement will be helpful to develop the Coaches Association; encourage good initiatives for talents; cooperate in the development of young players, boys and girls; and to render support in kind for football development.

The Secretary General Ebou Faye expressed delight for this landmark agreement that would change the future of the standard of coaches in the Gambia. He stated that four coaches from Sweden will be coming to the Gambia in December to organize a coaching courses for all the members of the GFCA and also football academies coaches.

He also opined that when they arrived in Sweden, Gambia’s Pa Dembou Touray was voted the best player of the week and he is now considered the best goalkeeper in Sweden. So many Gambian Swedish are playing in the Swedish league and they have even discovered one Gambian by name of Modou Saine, a 20 year old left back who has expressed interest in playing for the Gambia. They will provide all the necessary information to GFA to tap on the Gambian talents in Sweden, Faye added. 

The GFCA wish to express their gratitude to Ebou Ndure former GFA 2nd Vice President, Pa Musa Fofana former Gambian international footballer who initiated the program, the Gambia grupperner, the FIOH a local Swedish NGO, the GFA and all those who contributed to the success of the trip.