Ebanor Sports Agency, in partnership with Ballers4Life (B4L) Youth League and Brikama Sports Committee, is hosting an international scouting tournament in The Gambia from December 5-15, 2024.
Scouts from Europe will have the opportunity to watch teams from the first, second, and third divisions, alongside youth academies, as they showcase their skills during the 10-day trials. “There is so much talent in The Gambia. However, lack of exposure and the platform to showcase their talents has been a challenge. This is one of the main reasons we founded ebanor Sports Agency—to provide a platform and guidance for young, emerging talents from The Gambia,” said Sheriff ML Jarjue, founder and CEO of ebanor Sports Agency and a FIFA-licensed agent.
Earlier this year, ebanor facilitated the transfer of Gambian player Momodou Jatta to Sarajevo, where he has been performing well. “He’s already serving as a good ambassador for The Gambia with his performance and growth. His team is among those attending the scouting tournament in The Gambia. We also have scouts from Ukraine, Serbia, and Belgium—countries that provide solid pathways for players to progress to major leagues,” added Jarjue. “We’re excited about this trials tournament and are hopeful that some players will secure potential contracts.”
Duty calls! Our first international scouting event is kickstarting on Thursday, Dec 5th, 2024, at Brikama Box Bar. You are all invited. pic.twitter.com/wwdYNHpU7w
— Sheriff ML Jarju 賈悉慧 (@studdyj) December 4, 2024
Babou Mbye, Coordinator of the B4L Youth League, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “B4L is honored to co-host this tournament with ebanor and Brikama Sports Committee. Last year, we launched a youth league with 20 teams participating in its inaugural year. So far, three players from the league have gone on to play for the U17 National Team. This is a great milestone, and many exceptional talents from our league will take part in this scouting tournament. It’s a significant opportunity for grassroots initiatives like ours to provide exposure to young players.” Mbye added that efforts are already underway to expand the youth league nationwide, providing more young people with the platform to develop their potential.
The Importance of the Scouting Event
This scouting event is a milestone for Gambian football, as it provides a rare opportunity for local players to gain exposure. With scouts from reputable European clubs in attendance, the tournament serves as a critical bridge between raw talent and professional football careers. Beyond individual opportunities, the event also highlights the importance of grassroots sports initiatives and their role in nurturing future stars. By creating such a platform, ebanor Sports Agency and its partners are not only shaping the careers of young athletes but also positioning The Gambia as a growing hub for football talent on the global stage.