The Gambia Football Association (GFA) has benefited from a consignment of football items from a partnership between The Gambia and Iceland Red Cross Societies.

The 20ft container, containing 720 football shoes, 350 Training shorts, 2520 Training jerseys, 500 other training items, 520 footballs, 1800 T-shirts, 325 Table Tennis items and 740 second hand cloths worth D144, 550.25, was presented to GFA yesterday in a ceremony held at the Gambia Red Cross Headquarters in Kanifing.

Explaining the process Katim Nget, Programme Manager of the Gambia Red Cross Society said that it all started last February when the Icelandic Football Association consulted the Gambia Red Cross expressing their wish to assist The Gambia with sport materials.

“The intention is to ensure that sport is develop in the grassroots level.” Nget highlighted.

He commended the GFA and the Gambia Ports Authority for their commitment in making sure the material arrived in the country.

In receiving the items, Alhagie Mass Axi Gai, 2nd Vice-President of the GFA said that equipment is vital in sports adding that the materials will go a long way in helping the GFA as it will lessen their financial pressure.

He said the Gambia Red Cross has not only stopped from looking at the welfare of players in terms of offering First aid services but has also taken an added challenge of providing football materials to the FA.

“In creating more partnership, we hope to build on the cooperation created between the Gambia Football Association and Icelandic Football Association” he noted.

Secretary of State for Youths, Sports and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Omar Faye, commended the Gambia Red cross for creating the smart partnership in trying to address major problems.

He urged all Gambians and other institutions to emulate the gesture.

As a sign of appreciation, the Gambia Red Cross also presented 70 overalls to the Gambia Ports Authority for their Assistance during the process of bringing the material into the country.

The presentation was also attended by Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council, Donald Sock, Permanent Secretary Department of State for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs, Ebou Joof, Secretary General of the Gambia Red Cross William Jammeh and the Gambia Football Association Staff.