Youth Health via Sport
The Vision
‘The lack of support for sport and recreation’ was identified as ‘one of the key areas that hinders economic development in The Gambia’ by a UNICEF report in 2021. It is safe to say it is through no lack of effort on the part of ordinary people. When you walk the beach, you come across many individuals and groups of Gambians putting themselves through personalised fitness regimes.
Health is the focus of aidgambia The Community Health Charity and we encourage youth participation in sport. Our Clinical Adviser, Lamin, was a keen footballer and is heavily involved in the running and organisation of the famous Yarambamba Football Academy. The Trustees have another long time friend Bas, who is well known for the time, effort and dedication he provides to his AVIC Football Academy in his free time.
It all seems a natural fit to support both these Academies. We were therefore delighted to match fund an annual Youth Health Cup to celebrate our partnerships and their individual achievments. The first was held in March 2022 with the most recent in January 2026.
Our Partners
AVIC
Football Academy
Momodou Bashirou BESSANE
affectionately known as 'Bas', manages the AVIC Football Academy.
Bas has a licence to coach at academy level from the Gambian Football Association (GFA) and is passionately committed to running training sessions for over 55 keen footballers every Saturday!
In 2020 there were 61 registered players. Bas organises sessions for three age groups – under 12s, 14s, and 17s.
Yarambamba Football Academy
Supplying Sporting Equipment
Key health concerns among young Gambians are hypertension and diabetes.
For over 6 years, aidgambiaTCHC has supported the Academy by providing footballs and training equipment to help promote physical well-being among the youth of The Gambia.
The Trustees’ Clinical Advisors, Lamin and Chernor, are assisting AVIC Football Academy by organising First Aid training and equipment for the coaches. To further promote awareness of the risks of hypertension and diabetes among the young, they arrange health-awareness football matches with other academies.
2026 update
We were delighted to bring out more equipment again this year. Including referee kits.
Youth Health Cup
We have been very fortunate to partner with some excellent youth football teams. One of our CAT's (Clinical Advisers to Trustees) organised a football tournament and from there we developed the idea of an annual cup competition. The following showcases the results......
Youth Health Cup
March 2022 and November 2023
We are delighted to announce that we have been able to match fund annual events in The Gambia. The Cup final matches have always been scheduled to take place during our visits and we very much appreciate this.
The first was in March 2022 (AVIC losing 2-0) and the second took place in November 2023 (AVIC LOSING 3-0 this time). What made this second occasion very emotional was the impeccably observed minute’s silence for a 15 year old boy who would have been wearing his AVIC team’s no. 3 shirt if he had not drowned at sea the week before trying to cross to The Canaries. This boy had been attending the Academy from 6 years of age.
The success of these events is clear to see and we will continue support for this annual event whilst funds allow.
Youth Health Cup
December 2024
This year the match took place at the AVIC Academy ground so you could say they gained home advantage in their attempt to stop the run of two consecutive victories by Yarambamba Academy!
Final score: AVIC Academy 3 v Yarambamba Academy 1
aidgambiaTCHC sponsored transport for the away team and this included a mini van of supporters. Bodies crammed the interior - lost count of how many! - and the same number sat on the roof. This was rent a crowd with a particular Gambian flavour.
The referee distributed a number of yellow cards which came as a surprise considering this was an under 12 match. No quarters were asked or given on a pitch that was a dust bowl with some struggling grass in each corner!
Youth Heallth Cup
January 2026
This year the match took place at the YARAMBAMBA Academy ground so the home advantage that AVIC enjoyed in 2025 - and their first victory in the series - was reversed.
It was a contest between U-10s and the standard was impressive you could say it was competitive!
The final score was YARAMBAMBA 1 AVIC 2. This was the fourth Aidgambia Youth Health Cup and the score in the series is now two victories each!
aidgambiaTCHC sponsored transport for the away team with a minibus of supporters.
Before the Cup and medals presentation the players and fans were treated to a few talks about the importance of sport, keeping healthy and fit and to avoid smoking.
The boys, once safely home paraded the Cup around their locality and were rewarded with some monetary gifts… which they plan to use to finance a group picnic on the beach at some point in the near future
