The Gambia is among countries taking part in the 2021 DISCOVER FOOTBALL Festival, a one-week exchange programme attended by around 100 female football practitioners from around the world taking place in Berlin, Germany.
The festival aims to bring together teams, referees, coaches and activists for a series of workshops and a social sporting event, putting health and the development of personal projects at its core.
The event is also marked by workshops, training sessions, socializing and cultural events, as well as three days of fun-oriented football games in mixed teams.
While maintaining the idea of bringing together people from all over the world on the basis of football, developing and improving football and coaching skills, the event focuses on football as a tool to discuss and confront health issues and gender inequality.
“The Covid-19 pandemic span across the globe and make us shift our attention to the topic of “health” at this year’s festival,” the organisers said.
Also, during the week women football communities from around the world will network and also take part in the opening of the Willy-Kressmann-Stadium to the public for a football tournament, an open – air cinema, female hip hop concert and more.
The Gambian team to the festival comprises former female footballers, coaches and referees. Their participation was facilitated by Monica Saab a German female football expert working in Gambian football through the German and Gambian Olympic committees’ corporation.
The President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Lamin Kaba Bajo in his farewell message to The Gambian delegate extolled them to be good ambassadors.
“Go and make a difference so that The Gambia will be invited again. Interact and exchange contacts with colleagues and collaborate to open opportunities,” Mr. Bajo told the team.
Sainabou Cham,president of the Women’s Football Association and a participant thanked the GFF for the support, while Veronic Aisha Malack the Assistant Women’s Football Coordinator at the GFF described the event as a golden opportunity for the participants.
Germany based Gambian female activist Nyima Jadama who met the Gambian delegation commented: “Yesterday I met the Gambian women football delegation representing the country at the International Discover Football Festival for women. Thanks to Monika Staab a renowned world football champion for the invitation”.
