By Buba Gagigo
Trust Bank has solidified its partnership with Medina United Football Academy through a D150,000 deal, marking the academy’s official affiliation with the bank.
In a ceremony held at Trust Bank’s Brusubi branch, a cheque presentation of D150,000 was made to Medina United Football Academy. Key figures from both entities, including Basiru Njie, Secretary General of the academy; Alex Alasan Gomez, Trust Bank’s Head of Marketing; and Habib Kebbeh, Trust Bank Brusubi Branch Manager, graced the occasion.
Medina United Football Academy, founded in 2019, has swiftly evolved into a nurturing hub for budding football talents, boasting a sizable cohort of over 300 children. Their dedication has earned them a noteworthy position in the second division, reflecting their relentless efforts over the years.
Expressing gratitude, Secretary General Basiru Njie highlighted the shared values between Trust Bank and the academy, emphasizing Trust Bank’s renowned commitment to corporate social responsibility across various sectors, including sports.
“I think anybody who follows the banking sector knows the Trust Bank is one of the standard-bearers when it comes to corporate social responsibility. So for them, it has not been about sports alone. We have seen what they have done with the national teams. But not only that, in relation to other sectors, like the healthcare sector and all sectors. And for us, community work is very important because apart from the academy, we are doing a lot of community work in our communities. Building boreholes, providing support in schools—on all of these things, we are doing it free of charge. So I think this relationship will be a mutually beneficial one because we have similar values, and then it is going to be a win-win situation because currently, like I said, we are one of the top academies in this country with a lot of social media coverage,” he said.
Similarly, Alex Alasan Gomez of Trust Bank praised the academy for its remarkable achievements, acknowledging their consistent participation and commendable results in major competitions. He cited a visit to the academy, during which the excellence of its programs became evident.
“We are partnering with Madina Football Academy as you continue to develop fundamental technical skills, and tactical awareness in your players who are committed to competing at the highest levels. We can also attest that your club has always participated in major games and other international sporting competitions and returned home with very inspiring results. And as such, the academy deserves commendation for that. How did we come to know about this? We visited Medina Academy, and Mr. Wada took us through the academy. We went round the whole Academy, both in and out, and had a brief discussion with Mr. Wada on the achievements of the Academy, and we have no doubt that you are contributing immensely to the socio-economic development of this country through your sporting activities,” he said.
Habib Kebbeh, the Brusubi Branch Manager, echoed the sentiment of shared values, emphasizing the role of grassroots football in shaping individuals beyond sports, aligning with Trust Bank’s principles of social corporate responsibility.
“We understand that by growing this grassroots football sport, it paved the way to grow Other individuals in all facets of life By preparing them In terms of character, conduct And the way they display themselves. We have similar values in terms of social corporate responsibilities,” Kebbeh said.
Trust Bank, a prominent financial institution in The Gambia, is dedicated to providing exceptional banking services while actively contributing to the country’s socio-economic development through community initiatives and partnerships. Madina United Football Academy, on the other hand, is committed to nurturing young football talent in The Gambia, focusing on skill development, discipline, and sportsmanship among its growing roster of athletes. Established in 2019, the academy aims to establish itself as a premier football development center in the region.