In what’s being hailed as a “miracle” and the “best story in volleyball, Brikama, a small club from West Coast is the champions of Gambian volleyball. The Brikama men won the final 3-2 against Gamtel/Gamcel.
Having spent most of the previous seasons languishing at the bottom of the league rankings, the club’s dramatic rise to the top is breathtaking.
The game was physical and emotions ran high as scuffles flared repeatedly. Brikama star Mario Dampha and eventually became the games top scorer. Gamtel/Gamcel had promising chances to the end of the first set with setter Muhammed Jallow and attacker Malick Jammeh creating trouble for the Brikama’s blockers, but Brikama held on, sealing the deal for Coach Lamin Fatty.
The crowd at the independence stadium volleyball hall, chanted “Brikama Brikama,” as the fifth set drew near. It is an incredible tale on so many levels, not least the fact that Brikama were not tipped for this instance success. After winning the cup, coach Lamin Fatty said: “I’m so proud. I’m happy for my players, for the coaching staffs, for the management at Brikama, all our fans and the Brikama community. It’s an amazing feeling and I’m so happy for everyone.
Brikama finally crash into Gambia volleyball glass ceiling and now facilitate for higher ambitions as they take the trophy and record their name in the volleyball hall of fame. Meanwhile Gamtel- Gamcel too ended the dominance of Gambia Armed Forces GAF in female volleyball dethroning them as champions over weekend.
