Amputee football in The Gambia is alive and kicking. It was a humbling and inspirational experience to watch teams from KMC and West Bank slogging it out at the National Stadium - at greater pace, skill and passion than I have seen in professional football matches:
The Gambia has three formed men's teams with an aspiration to increase this to five teams by the end of this year. All players are limbless - outfield players by leg and goalkeepers by arm. One of those players is Mohammed Jallow - a multi-talented national team player. He talks candidly to our wiXad team about his aspirations and the challenges of support and funding that the game faces:
and discusses international competition, the women's game and opportunity
There is an opportunity for the Gambia to perform and succeed at paralympic and international level in both the men's and women's game - not just football but in other sports. A large population of young, passionate and talented individuals who want to represent their country but do not have the means nor opportunity to do so. This requires investment from the government and the international community; and a platform to showcase this golden opportunity and give athletes like Mohammed the chance to realise his dreams.