The Gambia Under 17 football team, accompanied by a high-powered delegation, last Friday ended a four-day nationwide tour.

The 100-man delegation, which included journalists and security officials, was led by the president of the Gambia Football Association, Seedy Kinteh. The team, which began the tour in Barra, North Bank Region, wrapped up the hectic, but memorable journey, at the Independence Stadium, Bakau, where they joined the sports-loving Gambian leader and sole sponsor of the tour to grace the 19th edition of annual May Day sports jamboree.

The tour, dubbed a 'victory celebration nationwide tour' was meant to enable the regions to have a glimpse of the African heroes after their return from Algeria where they snatched the  2009 CAF U-17 trophy from the grip of the hosts, Algeria. During the tour, the delegation had meetings with local communities in Barra, Kerewan, Farafenni, Bansang, Basse, Brikama-ba, Kudang, Mansakonko, Tendaba, Kanilai and Brikama. At the North Bank Region, thousands of the Baby Scorpions fans including the regional governor, Edward Seckan, were at hand to give the team a tumultuous welcome.

In his welcoming address, Governor Seckan lauded the Baby Scorpions for their heroic display throughout the Algerian event. He urged them to continue in the same spirit when they travel to Nigeria for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October. From North Bank Region, the team headed to Central River Region where they were received by Regional Governor Ganyie Touray alongside thousands of supporters. After a red-carpet reception at Governor Touray's offices, the delegation proceeded to Basse in Upper River Region, the birthplace of one of the U-17 players, Jatta Baldeh.

The URR governor, Omar Khan, thanked the Gambian leader and the GFA officials, who firmly stood behind the team while in Algeria. He singled out President Jammeh's unflinching support to sports development in the country, adding that the move to decentralize the victory celebration was in the right direction. "This nationwide victory celebrations will not only give us the chance to have a glimpse of the players who made us proud, but it will also go a long way in encouraging the provincial youth to venture into sports," he said. From Upper River Region, the team headed back to the Central River Region before proceeding to the Lower River Region.

After a night-stop in Pakalinding, the delegation proceeded to Kanilai where they had a night stop before heading to the Independence Stadium via Bwiam, Sibanor, Brikama, Kartong, Gunjur, Sanyang, Brufut and Sukuta. Commenting on the trip, GFA supremo Seedy Kinteh thanked the regions for the warm welcome accorded to the team during the journey. Kinteh, who hailed from Lower River Region, also urged parents in the hinterland to encourage their kids to play football.

The GFA boss also expressed praise for the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, whom he described as the team's main source of inspiration.