Twenty four public and private institutions will battle for this year's National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA) football championship crown, when the annual event kicks-off on Sunday, March 14.

The 24 teams have been paired in six groups of four teams where the top two teams in each group are assured of progress to the second round after the group matches. Gambia Fire and Ambulance Services will battle it out with Comium in Group A, which also has Gambia International Airways and Gambia Ports Authority.

GRTS face a stiff challenge as they find themselves in the same group as champions Gambia Immigration Department, RVTH and KMC in Group B.  Group C features Gambia Armed Forces, NAWEC, Kombo Beach Hotel and NDEA. Dethroned champions Gambia Police Forces face what looks like an easy task in Group D, which also has Social Security and Housing Finance Corperation, Gamtel and Gambia Civil Aviation Authority.

Fellow newcomers Paradise FM and Qcell find themselves in Group E alongside LEBCOM and Badala Park Hotel, while Group F features the Daily Observer, National Road Authority, Gambega and IAG. Sunday’s opening ceremony, according to the organizers, will be punctuated by a march pass involving the participant teams before the grand kick-off scheduled at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.