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Badminton in The Gambia

If you have any comments or suggestions, or would like to get involved with the project, then we'd love to hear from you.

Please contact us or leave a quick message in our Guestbook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online since June 2005

View this photo of Modu Boy in our Image Gallery

May 2008

"I have just returned after 11 hot days at Youna, training our team each day to achieve new standards of play. This trip included a match against the local teachers! Our players are very keen and working hard towards the match against my UK team late July.

On this trip they learnt the slice dropshot and we worked on consistency within the game. I spent the latter part of the day in Youna. I would like to make a special mention of Modu Boy, one of our players. He allowed me to have an outside bath at his compound each evening and looked after me, fetching water and cooking the food I provided for the team. He provided his bed outside for me to sit on and talk with my fellow players. He is 15 years old and runs the compound with his mother; sadly he lost his father 2 years back and supports his mother in bringing up two younger brothers and a sister. He has to repeat his whole year 9 grade again due to the fact his name was not put on a list to the examination board. Not only is he a good player, he is so nice with a huge smile for someone who has been through so much for a 15 year old. He is a good enough reason alone as to why I keep putting my time into this project.

Now we have so many players with a new league starting by Demba, one of our players, who is driving this for me to increase the standard and raise the squad size past 50. With this in mind I am looking at the possibility of increasing the size of the hall to three courts and providing solar panals and air conditioning. This will cost about £40k... any ideas?"

- Tim Mawer
 

View this photo in our Image Gallery

19 April 2008

"We have just returned from the best trip I have ever been involved in... wow, just non-stop over the 7 days and you can now read Sue Taylor's report of her time in The Gambia. We visited Youna day and night, worked hard with the badminton, trained the players, renewed the lines and provided all the players with new clothes and equipment. I would like to thank Sue, Tom and Sam for making it the most fun trip ever. Special thanks to Running Imp International and Carlton for their kind donations.

On the last night, the Gambians sang us a song and said their goodbyes to Sue, Tom and Sam. Many tears followed from all parties representing a general feeling of togetherness and enjoyment over the week. I have never witnessed in my 18 trips so many Gambians so upset at our departure.

Well done Tom, Sam and Sue. You're the best and I am so proud of you all and delighted to have committed people back onboard with the project. They deserve this over there and lets make it happen once more."

- Tim Mawer
 

4 April 2008

Sue Taylor, Tom Gregory and Sam Gilpin have been working hard to raise funds and support the project. They are now looking forward to their first trip in early April. Let's hope they enjoy their time in the Gambia.