The first cohort of the Girls Can Play fellowship has returned home to The Gambia after a week in Frankfurt, Germany – a journey that combined elite football training, cultural exploration, and leadership development. The young female footballers, who represented Gambia with pride and determination, capped off the program with a flawless record, winning all their exhibition matches – including a 4-0 victory over the U17 team of Eintracht Frankfurt.
The fellowship kicked off with a warm welcome in Frankfurt, followed by a program that spanned workshops, training sessions, cultural visits, and networking events with professionals in sports, law, and tech. From attending Bundesliga matches to taking part in a graffiti project and playing alongside German youth teams, the fellows immersed themselves fully in every opportunity.
“This fellowship was rich in experience, knowledge sharing, and exposure,” said Baboucarr Mbye, Fellowship Coordinator. “It wasn’t just about playing football; it was about giving these girls a broader perspective – showing them what’s possible when sport meets purpose and global connection.”
The EmpowerHer Summit, one of the week’s key highlights, featured stakeholders of football in Germany with speakers such as sports lawyer and women’s rights advocate Ndey Mariam Jobe, and Coach Vanko Eives Casablanco of Eintracht Frankfurt. The event gave the fellows an opportunity to engage with changemakers and reflect on the role of women in sport both locally and internationally.
Cherno Essaga Barry, Founder of BK West United and a key partner in the initiative, praised the success of the trip: “We’re honoured. The trip was very successful and all the girls are back home with their families. We’re looking forward to doing more of these programs to spotlight the football talent in The Gambia by giving them such international exposure.” He also expressed deep gratitude for the support received: “The partnership with the City of Frankfurt and Sportjugend was crucial. Their commitment made everything possible – from logistics to meaningful programming.”
For the fellows themselves, the impact of the trip was deeply personal. Binta Jarju, one of the participants, reflected on how eye-opening the experience was: “We met inspiring women in high positions and learned about their struggles – how they never gave up to reach where they are now. The training sessions with top coaches and the exhibition games, especially against a team like Eintracht Frankfurt U17 who plays in high-standard leagues and international tournaments – and beating them – was just awesome.”
Another fellow, Madeline Sanyang, described her experience at the Bundesliga match between Frankfurt and Hoffenheim as unforgettable: “It was an honour to attend the game. The atmosphere was amazing – something I’ve never witnessed before. Meeting people I only see on TV, including World Cup winners, was truly humbling.”
The fellows also had a chance to meet German football icons like Nia Künzer, who famously scored the golden goal in the 2003 Women’s World Cup final, and Nadine Angerer, former FIFA World Player of the Year and a two-time World Cup winner. A particularly emotional moment for the girls was when German international Nicole Anyomi celebrated with them after scoring two goals to send Eintracht Frankfurt to the Champions League qualifiers- Baboubcarr Mbye
As the young ambassadors return to their communities across Gambia, they do so not just with memories, but with a mission. Each fellow will serve as a Girls Can Play ambassador – using sport as a tool to inspire, lead, and uplift other girls in their regions.
With plans already underway for a new cohort in the coming months, the future of Girls Can Play looks bright. The initiative continues to grow, creating more pathways for girls in football and proving, time and time again, that yes – girls can play.
