By Momodou Jarju
The President of the Gambia Handball Association (GHA) Lamin King Colley has emboldened clubs in the country as this season’s handball league kicked off over the weekend at the Independence Stadium Handball Court in Bakau.
Speaking to GHA Media at the opening ceremony of the aforementioned league, King Colley said: “I am here to grace the occasion and also to give courage to the handball clubs and the executive members of the handball. This is a game that is as important as any other [game]. It is an Olympic game, it is a game that we use to call on the youth together, for the youth to know each other and also unite. Instead of sitting at the banter, going to the “backway” (irregular migration) or to the beach, it is important we call them here to showcase another talent in sports.”
President Colley, who is also the first vice president of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), highlighted the administrative work they are doing to raise the level of handball in the country. Asked about his expectation this season in light of a recent referee’s training being done, Colley said every game needs technicians to attain any feat which is why they are working on doing another soon.
“In fact, we have applied through GNOC to have a technical training which will train the coaches because there are standard grades of coaches. If you don’t reach there, you can’t officiate or sit on the bench at certain international games. So with that, we wrote an application to the GNOC and they have answered our request.”
The anticipated training is targeting schools in the lower and junior levels. According to Colley, he’s been notified that the national U-20 handball team needs players as the current crop are above the mentioned age which is why they want to train teachers who will introduce handball to the students at their respective schools.
“If you want to showcase talents, one has to go through schools and then be able to scout the talents at the school,” he said.
Weekend Results
In the men’s 5-team league, All Stars and Lion Hearts’ game ended in an 11-11 draw in the season opener. Warriors’ men however secured a narrow victory over Police men with a 24-21 final score.
In the women’s 4-team league, Golden Girls were awarded a victory after their opponents Lion Heart Ladies failed to turn up. They have been charged D500 as a result and two points and 20 goals have been awarded to Golden Girls. In the other game, Warriors Girls dominated Police women with a staggering 27-17 scoreline to earn their first win of the season.
Games will continue today at the independence stadium handball court where both the male and female teams of Police and Warriors will square off at 4:30pm.
