Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, first Vice president of the Gambia Football Association has said that efforts are being made by the GFA education and football development department to draw up a coaching development strategy geared towards improving the standards of coaches in the country.

He said, “This aspect of football development is crucial and it is gratifying to know that the coaches Association is ready to collaborate with us in this enterprise to set in motion a long term coaching development program”

Brigadier General Tamba made these remarks at the official opening of a three-day coaching course on Friday at the Independence Stadium, organised by the Gambia Football Coaches Association as part of an exchange program between them and their Swedish counterparts who are in town to conduct the training.

He said the organisation of such a training program is a glaring example that together we can change the face of Gambian football and that it will open the door for refreshing exchanges between GFCA and their colleagues from Sweden.

He paid special tribute to Pa Musa Fofana, former Gambian international, now based in Sweden, for initiating an important partnership for the good of Gambian football and called on other sports personalities out side the Gambia to emulate his actions.

He called on participants to transform lessons learnt from the training into reference points in all future international tournaments and to replicate them in national and regional leagues.

Speaking earlier, Caj Hjelm, head of the Swedish delegation, expressed gratitude to the Gambia Football Coaches Association and hoped that the partnership will benefit the Gambians as they can learn from the Swedish experience.

He cited the fact that in Sweden, the programmes put in place have earned the country qualification for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China and the last world cup.

Pa Suwareh Faye, President of the Gambia Football coaches Association expressed similar sentiments.

The training was attended by 60 participants.