The ‘Road to Azerbaijan’ campaign for The Gambia national U-17 female team who are set to make their first ever World Cup debut in September was Monday launched at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

The campaign is being spearheaded by different organisations and associations such as the Gambia Women’s Bureau, The Gambia Women’s Federation, The Gambia for Gold, National Female Artists Association, and female media personnel.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Alieu K. Jammeh, minister of Youth and Sports, commended the efforts of the female U-17 team, noting that they can do better and possibly even more than the male team if they put their hearts together and work very hard.

He further noted that women are doing well in football and have shown this in recent years. “The president is helping to develop sports in the country and not only football,” he said, while urging people to donate to the Basket at its GTBank account.

Fatim Badjie, minister of Health and Social Welfare advised the team to show a high sense of discipline that the country is well known for.

The president of the Gambia Women’s Federation, Fatoumatta Jah noted that the involvement of women in sports has taken a paradigm shift, which would address the issues relating to gender inequalities in sports. She pledged her Federation’s support for the promotion of female sports in the country.

The deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Aja Fatou Mbye, described the moment as a historic one for the women of The Gambia and called on the entire nation to pray for the success and safety of the girls. She further appealed to the general public to come out in their large numbers and donate to the ‘Road to Azerbaijan’ Basket, adding that no amount is too small.

On behalf of The National Female Artists Association (NAFAA) and Female Media Presenters, Kumba Kuyateh said they are very glad to be associated with the noble initiative.

“After fruitful discussions with our partners in development, namely Gambia for Gold, Department of Youth and Sports, GFA and Women’s Bureau, we feel it is our responsibility to play our quota in helping our heroic Female Under-17 Team who have qualified to the Female Under-17 World Cup for the first time in the history of our country; to achieve what I call our collective goal and that is to bring the cup home”, she said.

She said they hope to use their influence to raise enough funds for the team with their partners through a fundraising football game to be played on the 1st of September 2012 at the Independence Stadium.

Chorro Mbenga, assistant head coach of the U-17 thanked all those that have joined hands to support them. With barely 45 days to go, Mbenga used the opportunity to appeal to all concerned authorities to hasten efforts towards providing resources for their participation.

She finally thanked the GFA, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Women Committee, GNOC, and the sports journalists for the support they rendered to the team.