By Arfang M. S Camara
The Gambia Football Federation last Wednesday 25th May launched FIFA Member Associations’ Female and Young talented Referees Training course.
The ceremony held at the National Technical Training Center in Old Yundum brought together 30 participants across the country, comprising 23 females and 7 male Referees officiating in the Female league Division One and Two respectively.
Presiding over the ceremony, GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo, expressed delight and joy over the progress of women’s football especially in the refereeing department. Mr Bajo highlighted the significance his office attaches to the development of more Women Referees while thanking FIFA and CAF for the continuous support driven to ensure his promises are met since coming into office in 2014.
He encouraged the Referees Association to continue empowering women in the trade.
“I am very excited by looking at the statistics of more female dominance in the hall and this shows that with the available opportunities, we will have more women excel in the trade”.
GFF Senior Women’s Football Coordinator Mrs Sainey Sissohore Mboge and Ramou Ndow a member of the Women’s Football Committee both expressed gratitude to the Federation describing Mr. Bajo as a true ambassador of Women’s Football Development.
“Since Kaba Bajo led executive came to office in 2014, we’ve seen significant successes in Women’s Football in all categories including Referees, Administrators, Coaches and footballers” Mrs M’Boge expressed.
She further encouraged the participants to exhibit more patience, passion and commitment to the course.
FIFA Technical Instructor Mr Ali Mohamed Ahmed, a Somali national heaped praises on the Football leadership for promoting women’s football.
“During my previous visit here on a similar assignment, I remember the president (Bajo) saying he wants to see more female Referees and today I can assure you that as FIFA , we’re delighted to see his dream been made true”.
Ahmed urged participants to make best use of the opportunity.
The 30 participants also includes Four FIFA approved female Referees and 26 national Referees from the regions playing in the women’s domestic first and second division league.
Source: GFF
