The Gambia Football Association yesterday disbursed 1000 (One thousand) balls to various schools in all the six regions in the country. Out of the lot, a total of 360 (Three hundred and sixty) balls were given to schools in Regions One and Two, in a presentation ceremony held at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Presenting the balls to the Sports Coordinator at the Department of State for Education, Col Lang Tombong Tamba, Second Vice-President of The Gambia Football Association said: “These balls we got from the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) are going directly to the schools to help you develop the required skills in football. We have a programme for grassroot football and that cannot be attained without given you (students) the attention you deserve.” The Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff also paid tribute to Gambian school children for their enormous support to The Gambia Football Association in the drive to develop the game we all cherish.

“You have been contributing at your own level, particularly during the U-20’s Congo campaign and your assistance is greatly acknowledged”, said Col Tamba, who urged the school children to greatly utilise the balls given to them. He advised them to be serious with whatever they’re doing. “Be serious and courageous in whatever you do. We encourage you to learn and we also encourage you to play football so that you would graduate to become our future heroes and heroines,” he said.

Jammeh Bojang, Secretary-General of The Gambia Football Association, said the balls were given to them in observance of CAF’s 50th anniversary as tagged on the balls ‘Celebrating 50 years of African football’. He urged the school children to make good use of the balls as future players of the nation.

Receiving the balls, Sports Coordinator at the Department of State for Education, Mr Musa Mendy said the donated balls will go a long way towards promoting grassroot football in the country. Short-of-words, Mendy, hailed the national football governing body for their foresight and assured them that the balls will be put into good use.

The presentation ceremony was attended by pupils from various schools, including Bakau Upper Basic School.