The Gambia has launched its first female amputee football team, marking a new development in the country’s efforts to promote the participation of women and girls with disabilities in sport.
The launch brought together players, organisers, supporters and other stakeholders to mark the formation of the team and create greater opportunities for women with disabilities to participate in football.
Speaking at the event, one of the coordinators described the initiative as a historic moment for disability football in The Gambia.
She said the team would provide female amputees with a platform to showcase their abilities, build confidence and pursue opportunities through football.
“It’s an honour for me to be part of the team that coordinated the first-ever female team. This isn’t just a day; this is history in The Gambia,” she said.
The organisers expressed appreciation to supporters and partners whose contributions helped make the initiative possible, with particular recognition given to the Gambia Amputee Football Association (GAFA) for its role in the establishment of the team.
The launch also renewed calls for greater support for disability football in the country.
The organisers urged the government, sports stakeholders and the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) to increase their support for the development of disability football and create more opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport.
The formation of the female amputee football team provides women with disabilities with a new platform to train, compete and potentially represent The Gambia in amputee football competitions.