By Omar Jatta
The Gambia Football Federation has announced substantial financial support for both teams representing The Gambia in the 2018 African Club Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

According to the Federations website, officials from both representing teams, the Gambia Armed Forces(GAF) and Hawks FC were on Tuesday 23rd January, invited to the office of the Federation’s President, Lamin Kabba Bajo, where they were informed about the windfall they are about to receive, to help finance their participation in the elite competitions.

Speaking to them at the Football Secretariat in Kanifing, Mr Bajo revealed the Football Federation’s plan to offer each of the teams a cash lump sum of D250,000 towards their finances for the Preliminary rounds of both competitions, which will be followed by a further D250,000 each, if they make the next round of the competition.

The current Gambian Champions, the Armed Forces team (GAF) are set to face Zanaco FC of Zambia in Lusaka on the 9th Feb for the first of the two-legged Champions League preliminary ties, with the return leg a week later back in the Gambia. The FF Cup Winners Hawks FC will to travel to take on Akwa United of Nigeria.

Mr Bajo also revealed the GFF will also take charge of each of the team’s local accommodation at the Football Hotel in Yundum on full board and will as well finance the indemnities of the match Officials during the home legs. This will take the total sum up to a Million Dalasi if both teams reach the next phase.

The news, as expected was well received by both clubs and both thanked the Football Federation for their magnanimity and described the gesture as unprecedented. They both promised to do well in their respective competitions.