Old Jeswang & GAF Garlanded As Gambia Volleyball Champions

Old Jeshwang men’s volleyball team has made yet another history in Gambian volleyball after beating former winners Gambia Armed forces in the knock out finals on Saturday at Manneh Sillah memorial ground 3-2 (25-13, 25-19, 21-25, 22-25 15-10). Earlier in December Jeshwang were crowed Gambian league champions for a record 4 times in a row and this feat was further merited against their closest rivals GAF.

Old Jeshwang were in a dominance fashion in the first set with young star Babucarr Jarra making lot of points and helping his team winning the set 25-13. The second set saw another wonderful play from the league winners, outstanding blocks from Lamin Jarju and Muhammed Jallow and great attacks from Malick Jammeh and Babucarr Jarra earned Jeshwang the second set at 25-19.

Gambia Armed Forces redouble their efforts in the 3rd set with good spikes from Ebrima Jatta, Famara Bojang and Alieu Barry, thus winning the 3rd set 25-21 and the 4th set 25-22. The game was forced to the golden set which Old Jeshwang ultimately won 15-10 to grab their second major trophy of the season.

Meanwhile GAF female team has confirmed their dominance after thumping Gamtel/Gamcel 3-1 (15-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-19) to win double honours for the first time. The 2 time league champions lost the first set after most of their attacks were dug by Gamcel/Gamtel libero Fatou Taal.

The first set finished 25-15. GAF regained their prowess in the second set and individual brilliance from Abie Kujabi and good passes from setter Nyima Demba denied the opponent and the tough second set finished 26-24.

Gamtel/Gamcel outside hitter Sainabaou Tambedou inspired her team mates to strengthen their opponents to nerve moments but GAF hold on to their superiority to win the 3rd set 25-21 and finally the 4 set was settled on 25-19.

Trophies were awarded to various winners and cash prizes of 10,000 for the league champions, 5,000 for the knock out winners and Interior coach Ebrima Nyass was decorated as the most disciplined coach by Olympafrica center

Muhammed L Saidykhan.
Press Officer Gambia Volleyball Federation

Gambia Federation Gear Up For Two International Volleyball Championships

The Gambia National volleyball teams Men and Women teams are gearing up for a busy year in international competition.

The first international outing for GVBA will be the U-21 Zone II tournament which will be held in Dakar Senegal next weekend, the team will be traveling on Wednesday 13th August 2014 with thirty six member delegation.

The technical committee nominated four coaches to oversee the Under 21 Men and Women teams.

Alagie Babu Joof and Lamin Sanneh are responsible for the women, whiles Ebrima Nyassi and Pa Bubacarr Barrow will guide the men’s team.

Speaking ahead of the championship the Auditor of the Association Alagie Ceesay (Nature) shed light on the importance of the competition. “We are ready to expose our teams in the international championships, this is part of the plan to send our national teams whenever we are invited and we are hopeful that we will come out with an outstanding result,”

“The more we play international games, the more we will trade our players to bigger leagues and that will be an additional benefit to the country,” (Nature) said. The Auditor was quick to opine for more financial supports mainly from the central government and other institutions to support the team to successfully take part in this event.

“This tournament will act as a warm-up match before the African women championships to be held in Algeria from the September 5 to 15, 2014 for the categories of U18 and U23 Women and the winner will represent Africa in the corresponding 2015 World Championships.”

In another development, Gambia Volleyball Association organised a three day seminar for referees and coaches as well as another on beach volleyball.

“This training program will help the limited local coaches and referees to know more about the Game and FIVB is encouraging there affiliated federations to promote beach volleyball in their respective countries and today beach volleyball is a priority on FIVB developments,” Secretary General of the Association, Sainey Jarju said.

International referee Mr. Bai Dodou Jallow will conducted the training program and 20 participants were invited to take part in the training.

Gambia prepares for the continental champs

Among the participants 12 referees and 8 coaches from clubs that are affiliated with Gambia Volleyball Association. The training course finished on August 10th at the Olympafrica Centre Serekunda east.

GVBA is also staging a Nawetan beach volleyball tournament for the first time in the Gambia which will be played at the Sunwing Hotel beach side just near Pocoloco night club. It will kick start on Sunday 17th August 2014 for duration of three 3 weeks and Gamtel is sponsoring the tournament

Eight teams namely Gamtel/Gamcel, Brikama, Sere Kunda East, Jeshwang, GAF, Interior, GFRS and The Gambia Veterans volleyball club.

The Executive is also urging stakeholders and companies to come forward and support volleyball which they believe will go a long way in helping out this rather a dormant sport.