The Gambia Deaf national team has been snubbed by both the country’s football association and the GNOC as they face difficulties in running their day to day activities due to Covid19.
The deaf association which is under GNOC and has some affiliation with the GFF are yet to receive monetary support despite GFF under the stewardship of Lamin Kaba Bajo receiving 26 Million dalasis last month from the world football governing body FIFA. GNOC was also scheduled to receive money from the IOC.
Deaf football called for all human rights after realizing only the physically challenged were not among the beneficiaries of any sport relief fund for Covid19.
Covid19 pandemic has left the association struggling due to lack of funds to effectively run an operation at the administrative level.
The association is unable to create an awareness campaign due to insufficient funds. The office of the Executive Board is 30 meters away from the Football house but the office does not have internet and staff are stranded at home because of lack of fare to report to work.
The National Deaf Football team also known as the “Deaf Scorpion” consists of 25 players and eight official staff. The challenged group also has female volleyball team. Their last competition was in Freetown 2019 during the West Africa Deaf Football Tournament. Where they took Bronze and won the fair play team of the tournament. They currently have three international players who ply their trade in Ukraine by the name of Ebrima Camara, Amadou Sanneh, and Abdoulie Njie.
The GFF has not met the Deaf Executive board despite the latter sending a letter for a courtesy visit last October. The president is calling the GFF Exco members to adopt the Deaf National team under its arms citing that they do represent the Gambia, locally and internationally.
In the past, the Gambia Football house has given five footballs, one motorbike, and a full set of jersey to them. The only time the ministry support is when they are representing the country while other financial burdens are fended by friends and individuals within the executives. Government support is most of the time late or accompanied by the little funds.
The Deaf national association have voting right and even voted in last year general elections. Despite that, the association haven’t heard from the GNOC which Kabba Bajo is the second Vice President for close to two years.
The executive board is urging If GGF / FIFA COVID-19 relief fund is restrictive /legal.
I advise them to seek another COVID-19 relief fund to assist those special needy clubs in the country’s football development.
Buba Jallow Fallaboweh
Freelance Journalist
Reporter/Analyst
Ambassador of John Bass kidney Foundation