WHAT DOES KOMBO EAST SUPER "NAWETTAN" TITLE TRIUMPH TELLS ABOUT GAMBIA’S FOOTBALL?

There is more to it, than say the title and the prize money (two hundred thousand dalasi’s). It is the eastern district of the Kombo’s that scoop the country’s most popular domestic football’s honor, but is a victory for all the settlements outside the inner cities and a victory for all the advocates for the decentralization of the game.

Maiden appearance in the finals, maiden super "nawettan" trophy, triumphant Kombo East players. (PC Insights Sports)

For far too long Gambia’s football have been focusing on few selected areas (Banjul, Kanifing Municipality, and partly West Coast Region), the selection of national teams, infrastructural development and every benefit for the improvement of the game, is limited to the given areas.

This is a lack of respect and marginalization for the rest of the settlements outside the greater Banjul areas. The notion of football being in few areas in the country, is continuously proven false by the performance some communities have been showing in the super nawettan championship, and their players in other domestic leagues.

Kombo East semi final line up against Brikama

The attention given to the inner cities, if extended to most part of the country, something different would have been said about the super nawettan championship, and Gambia’s football would have been at a much higher level by now.

Kombo East have sent a louder message across that, there are better natural talents in the remote villages than in the urban areas. A settlement (Kombo East) that has no proper football pitch in its entire district, not even a recommended football academy, teaches all the so-called big zones they face en-route to winning the title, an unforgettable football lesson.

Spectators at the final

It was a remarkable achievement, unbeaten from start to finish, there worst result is a 1 – 1 draw against Foni in their final group game. A 1 - 0 win against Serrekunda West in the finals, is a graphic illustration of their strength and the trophy was a complement of their outstanding performance.

To summed it up, the message in Kombo East victory is simple and clear. The game has long grown beyond the perceived areas, valuable talents are found everywhere (from Kartong down to Koina). It is a shame that since the inception of the game in the country, so-called development is still centered in few areas. Can we have the game changed!