Western Union and its agent partners-Trust Bank, Standard Chartered and GT Banks on Saturday presented a total package in excess of D500,000 to eight GFA nawettan zones within Western Region, Kanifing Municipality and Banjul in a presentation ceremony held at Trust Bank’s West Field branch.

The traditional sponsors gave each sports committee two sets of jerseys worth D25,000, prize monies in the sum of D25, 000 for champions and runners-up, and D10,000 as administrative cost.

Speaking at the gathering, Remi Joiner of Trust Bank Ltd, said Western Union is one of the pioneers of corporate sponsorship of nawettan football in The Gambia. He said they did not hesitate to go for the nawettan sponsorship because of the notion that the country can only make real progress in football when community-based football, which lied many unexploited talents, is promoted.

“Today, one can safely associate our country’s current unprecedented success in football to the diverse mix of talents in the National U-17 and U-20 teams. Nawettan provides the discovery channel for new local talents,” he said.

Joiner added: “Western Union was a major sponsor of the GFA during the hosting of the African U-17 Championship in 2005, which our Darling Scorpions won in style for the first time in our history. That was the true moment of transformation of Gambia’s football, leading us to Peru, Congo and Canada, where our country put up very respectable performances.”

He said the national passion for the football has shut up to unprecedented heights, adding that they are proud of Western Union’s association and contributions to this major milestone.

“This year’s package caters for 8 GFA nawettan zones and each zone will receive two sets of jerseys worth D25, 000.00, prize monies in the sum of D25, 000.00 for champions and runners-up, and D10, 000.00 as administrative cost to take care of logistics. The three new zones will further receive a giant trophy each at a total cost of D42,000.00. Overall, we present a total package in excess of D500, 000.00 in nawettan sponsorship, courtesy of Western Union and its agent partners, Trust Bank, Standard Chartered and Guaranty Trust Banks.”

In his launch statement, Sheikh Omar Faye, Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs hailed Western Union and its collaborators for their unwavering effort in developing Gambian sport. He said for football to develop, both private and public sector must be involved.

SoS Faye, however, appealed to the traditional sponsors to extend their package to the other parts of the country that are yet to benefit, for a proper decentralisation process.

The Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs SoS used the occasion to advise the various nawettan zones to exercise maximum discipline and professionalism during the course of the nawettan competitions.

Saturday’s presentation ceremony was attended by the Lord Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, Mamour Njai, representatives of the eight nawettan zones, namely Banjul, Bakau, Serrekunda West, Serrekunda East, Brikama, Lamin, Gunjur, and Sukuta and other sports enthusiasts.