Bai Dodou Jallow, president of the Gambia Volleyball Federation, has appealed to the private sector and government of The Gambia for support as another season wrapped up without a sponsor for the league.
“Despite our tremendous archivements in both indoor and beach volleyball over the years, we find it extremely difficult to attract sponsors to support both our national male and female league championships,” he stated.
“Volleyball has grown rapidly in this country over the years as statistics do not lie in sports and if you look at our numbers, we can safely say that we are doing really well, but one thing remains a major concern for the Federation, which is sponsorship, as the private sector should be convinced to come an join the most organized and fast growing sports in the country”.
Mr Jallow added that lack of support can deprive athletes of concentrating in sports that they love and choose as a career because food has to be put on the table and without support, it will be difficult to achieve this dream.
He said the Federation always prepares very good teams in both categories every year for the continent and world qualifiers but their biggest challenge has been financial support.
He further said that volleyball is unlike other sporting disciplines which receive annual subventions from their parent bodies. He gave football as an example, which receives support from Fifa annually. “In volleyball, we are not entitled to such from the continental body, neither from The Gambia Government. All we do is the commitment from the Federation wihich is very difficult and a big burden on us”, he noted.
The 2021 league season is a very successful and competitive one as Olympic Africa retained their crown after beating close rivals Gamtel/Gamcel by 3 sets to 1 (3-1) at their home court in Serrekunda Kunda East mini-stadium.