By Sulayman Bah
Gambia national football team of the deaf is seeking financial aid from donors and the public.
The team are due to participate in the 8-team Ecowas championship and have already settled registration for the tourney but are faced with problem of facilitating the team’s transportation, accommodation in a hotel with meals and allowance for twenty-six players.
The tournament, dubbed the West Africa Deaf Football Tournament (WADFT) and in its 7th edition, is billed to be staged in Bamako with Mali the hosts.
Kicking off May 6th running through to the 12th, the Gambian team and officials are expected to touch down in Mali 3rd May and leaving a day after the closure of the championship.
However, owing to funding issues, the deaf national football team also affiliated to the Gambia National Olympic Committee and National Sports Council, risk missing out of the tournament if not assisted.
The team has since released a statement seeking donation from philanthropists and government institutions.
Reproduced below, is the Gambia Deaf Sports Association president Lamin Ceesay’s plea and break down of the team’s expenses.
“I am pleased to announce and applying to all of you and the stakeholders to support The Gambia National Deaf Football Team known as Deaf Scorpions FC.
The Gambia National Deaf Team has already settled its participation fee but are seeking for support on the following areas.
Return bus tickets Banjul to and From Bamako Mali for 20 players and 6 officials.
Accommodation with meals for Gambia football team and officials.
Allowance for 26 delegates.
According to the documents received from the organizers West Africa Deaf Sports Union, The Gambia Team and officials should arrive in Bamako on 3rd May 2017 and depart back home on the 13th May 2017
A maximum of 8 Countries are confirmed after the payment of the mandatory participation fees, The countries are Mali Host Nation .2. Liberia, 3. Sierra Leone, 4. Nigeria, 5. Ghana
6, Niger, 7. The Gambia, and Ivory Coast
Programmes of the Events in Bamako Mali would be as
Arrival / Accreditation 3rd – 4th May 2017
General Assembly / technical Meeting & draw 5th May , 2017
Opening Ceremony / open Match 6th May, 2017
Match Continue 7th May 2017
Semi-Final Match 11th May, 2017
3rd Place /Final Match 12th May, 2017
7th Departure 13th May, 2017
In addition. I would like to call the head of the following institutions and their management to come to our aid
President of the Republic of the Gambia H E Adama Barrow
Honorable Minister of the Youth and Sports Henry Gomez
Permanent Secretary Minister of Youth and Sports Momodou Lamin Ceesay
Mr Badara Mbye Chief Executive Officer of Africel
Executive Director of National Sports council Mr Michael Mandy
President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee Alhagie Dodou Capy joof
Honorable President Gambia Football federation Lamin Kebba Bayo
Gambian professional’s footballers at aboard
Religion leaders Head of mosques and Benediction: Heads of Churches
Foreign Ambassadors high commissioners and diplomatic to the Republic of The Gambia
Banks and Telecommunication agencies in The Gambia
Business inventors in The Gambia
Owners of Media houses in The Gambia
Government of the republic of the Gambia
We pray to the Almighty God (Lord) to shower you, your family, and the entire country relatives his blessing and give you the strength and wisdom to promote good governance in religion, human rights, rule of law and freedom for all its citizens.
We would appreciate it if you people could assist us per as mentioned above.
Anyone willing to sponsor few or one of the players, you can reach us on 760 1968 / 88 0 55 99 / 77 28 092”
