Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, first Vice President of The Gambia Football Association, has spoken about the FA’s plans in connection with the commencement of the national domestic league and friendly international matches for the senior national team among other things.
He said he is hopeful that the league will commence in early February, adding that they have approached companies for sponsorship.

However, he said if they have sponsorship from institutions, part of the benefits for sponsors will be enough advertisement during league matches in any of the grounds.

Brigadier General Tamba made these remarks while speaking in an interview with GRTS Sports Roundup.

On the increment of the most talked about number of teams in the league, he said the initial idea was to include two teams from the provinces in the first division adding to 12, but due to the logistics and costs involved, it remained not feasible.

He said the issue will be discussed at a meeting to be held before the start of the league where it will be decided whether to increase the number of teams or maintained the present number.

He pointed out that all categories of the national teams will be registered for international competition saying that it is wiser than registering few teams.

“With finance, we are ready to go ahead with international friendlies as it will be an added boost to our campaign for the 2010 CAF and FIFA World Cup qualifiers”, he explained.

The GFA number one who is optimistic of Gambia’s qualification said they are targeting big footballing nations like Ivory Coast and Morocco and have started communicating with them.

He said there will international friendlies in February and in March.

“It is encouraging to have a partnership with Africell and we hope that it is here to stay and am appealing to the general public to come forward and support the GFA”.

He said GFA will associate with any player that is committed and willing to sacrifice for their nation.

Commenting on Sohna’s saga, he said the executive met over the issue and invited both Steve Biko and Wallidan and they are making their findings on the issue and will make their stand known on the issue.