By Sulayman Bah
World Football Governing body FIFA has approved a technical assistance
programme for Gambia to begin in 2015.
This latest development follows Gambia Football Federation president
Lamin Kabba Bajo and VP Martin Gomez honour of invitation to FIFA
president Sepp Blatter in Switzerland.The assistance programme would be aimed at building the capacity of
the GFF technical department.
The Gambian pair was introduced to various FIFA packages which
according to Blatter could be ‘maximally utilized’ by the GFF.
Issuing statement on the advantages of Kabba’s meeting with Sepp, the
GFF said in a statement said: ‘
President Blatter welcomed the Gambian Officials with open arms and
expressed his happiness to receive what he described as ‘quality GFF
ExCO’. He continued to express his pleasure to work with the new GFF
leadership in order to achieve stability and rapid development in
Gambian Football. President Blatter assured the Gambian Officials of
his willingness and availability anytime to support and assist the
Gambia on matters regarding the growth and progress of Gambian
Football.
President Bajo and team were later introduced to the various FIFA
packages and programmes which according to President Blatter could be
maximally utilised by the Gambia Football Federation. Out of this
package, FIFA has approved a Technical Assistance programme for the
Gambia by the beginning of 2015 to equip and help build the capacity
of the GFF Technical Department.
The Gambia will furthermore benefit from the FIFA Challenge Project in
2015 which is intended for the less privilege countries to enhance
their Football development. President Blatter disclosed that the
Gambia will benefit from this incentive in addition to the already
FIFA Assistance Programme and World Cup Bonus.
The GFF delegation was later introduced to the various FIFA academic
and Technical Courses which according to President Blatter could
greatly benefit The Gambia.
In response, the GFF President thanked President Blatter for the warm
welcome accorded him and his colleague, and his support for the
development of Football in Africa. The GFF President further assured him
of the continued unqualified support of the GFF ExCO in all his
endeavours. Whilst conveying goodwill message from the GFF, the
Football family and the government of the Gambia, the GFF President
extended an invitation to the FIFA Boss to visit the Gambia at his
earliest convenience. The invitation was accepted and time will be
arranged later.
The GFF delegation also held a Meeting with Senior FIFA Women Football
Development Manager to familiarise themselves with the trends in Women
Football development and the various opportunities FIFA can offer in
this direction.
GFF President and Mr Martin Gomez were finally held to various indoor
meetings with the different Structural Heads at FIFA all geared
towards enhancing Gambian Football development aspirations.”
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