Today Makes Tomorrow

Jarra, Fatoumatta & Mariama, The Gambia

Jarra Jambang, Fatoumatta Jobe, and Mariama Dukanda are players for TMT FC (Today Makes Tomorrow), a leading women’s football team in The Gambia.

The club, formerly known as Abuko United FFC, was one of the founding organisations of women’s football in the country and is currently competing In the women’s first division championship. Many of their players represent the U17, U20, and senior women’s national teams of The Gambia, but are often balancing school and work with their football careers.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current football life?

Jarra: My name is Jarra Jambang. I am 21 years old. I live in The Gambia in a place called Manjai Kunda. I play football with friends, neighbours and sometimes with my brothers. I almost play football everyday. I normally rest only one day a week, that is if we do not have a game to play or any training session to attend. I do not rest much. We normally organise test games and fitness tournaments, so I do not have too much of rest. I play football all the time.

Fatoumatta: My name is Fatoumatta Jobe, I am 23 years old and I live in Abuko, The Gambia. I started my football career with friends in the streets, which is a daily activity for me. Currently, I am in a moment of frustration with a knee injury which I have been going through for six years now and need surgery, but due to financial reasons I cannot afford to do it. This is my football life for now.

Mariama: My name is Mariama Dukanda. I am 25 years old, I live in Latrikunda Sabiji in The Gambia. During the season I play in the league and off season we normally organise test games and tournaments among ourselves. I am practically always on the move.

What has your football journey been like up until now?

Jarra: I started playing football by my brothers in the age of nine. I followed them whenever they had games at their training grounds, at the beach, and when they were training I would also do my own training. Then one day one of them took me to an Academy called AZ. That is how I got involved in football. My football journey has been fantastic. I enjoy every little time I spend playing, and it brings happiness and joyful moments whenever I am playing because it makes me forget a lot of things. It also helped me to discover so many countries in Africa - places like Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, and Mauritania.

Fatoumatta: At the age of seven I got involved more in the game. It was a great journey because of being one of the best players in the team, fast, and smart in dribbling. In my position as a left winger, I played a crucial role to help TMT FC compete for the top four in the league. Sadly, it has been six years now since I have had a knee injury, which really had an impact on my life as a player whose desire is to become a professional.

Mariama: My football journey started in 2016 when I joined TMT FC. The next year I went to City Girls Football Club for a 2 year loan deal in the second division which made a big improvement to my football career. My season with City Girls F.C was very challenging, but I was able to prove myself to the coach and his technical staff and was able to secure a place in the team. We ended the league in the second position in the first season and became the champions in the second season in The Gambia Second Division and were promoted to the first division. My loan deal expired and I returned to TMT FC, where I continue to pursue my football career. I had a lot of opportunities as a leader and participated in many coaching courses. All thanks to my mentor and role model Coach Omar Cham. He is the reason for all my success in football.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

Jarra: The people in the photos are my teammates, family members, and friends. The photos were taken at our field, at home and at the training ground. I tried to show how we normally play football in The Gambia and the atmosphere in The Gambia, the togetherness, and love. It is always fun when I am with my teammates and they also make me happy too. There is also a photo of my sister. She always advises me on football and how to mingle with people. She also told me what a footballer should be like, and whenever I tried to quit the game she used to advise me to continue, by telling me that giving up is never an option.

Fatoumatta: The photos are of me and my friends. They are taken at the training ground, at home and in the garden. They show how we are united as a team, loving each other, loving the game and we are always happy together like family. I took a photo of my mom, because every time I am with my mom I feel comfortable and happy around her. My mother is my role model in life.

Mariama: The photos were taken at the Bakau Mini Stadium, on the game day of Red Scorpions against Koita F.C, as well as at the Basori Football Field with the players of Trust Football Academy. The photos show the beauty of football. Even though we are from different teams and communities our love for the game always brought us together.

What impact has playing football and playing for TMT FC had on you?

Jarra: Football has given me a way to know people in other countries, and get to know things happening to the world. TMT FC developed my football skills, they also contributed to my national team call up.

Fatoumatta: TMT FC gave me a lot of skills and knowledge before the national team selected me. Football played a crucial role in my life. It helped me to adopt teamwork, become committed and focused on my career.

Mariama: Playing football and being part of TMT FC had a significant impact on me, both personally and in my athletic journey. Football required a lot of dedication, practice, and focus. Being part of TMT FC helped me develop a strong sense of discipline and work ethic, both on and off the field. Teamwork, communication, pride and identity. Playing for a recognized club like TMT FC has opened doors for me, giving me exposure to higher level competition and networking opportunities.

What role does football play in your community and in The Gambia?

Jarra: Football plays a big role in my community in so many ways. It brings togetherness, peace, engaging younger ones in football, bringing love between societies. It also plays a beautiful role in The Gambia by introducing academies, divisional games, school championships, and helping young talented footballers to develop themselves in football. It is in a stage now where footballers in The Gambia are going to other countries to show the talent they have. Football also gives women the opportunity to play for divisional teams and even the national youth categories.

Fatoumatta: In my community football brings young people together, taking their attention from activities such as smoking. It is a solution for the future. Girls are more involved in football nowadays, the opportunities are many. There are female teams in the communities, division league one, two and three. In school there are more chances for girls to start playing and give them a chance to choose it as their future.

Mariama: Football plays a vital role in my community, it fosters a strong sense of community. Local teams like TMT FC bring people together from different backgrounds, promoting unity and social cohesion. It provides a positive outlet for the youth in the community, keeping them engaged and away from negative influences. It also instills values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Football’s importance in The Gambia goes beyond the pitch; it is a crucial part of the social fabric, contributing to the country’s identity, unity, and development. While there are challenges, the opportunities for women and girls to play football in my community are growing. There are opportunities like school sport programs, National and Regional competitions, community-based clubs, and mentorship programs.

What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Jarra: Football means a lot to me, and I want to be a great footballer in our country and everywhere I go in this world. I want to take care of my family, people in need of help. I want to be like other big female footballers in Europe, famous like them. I would like to build big houses, hospitals, and hotels, if I have the chance.

Fatoumatta: Honestly, this is the game of my life, the game that I spent most of my time in. It gives me plenty of joy when I hear even the name football. I feel super excited, especially when I am playing with my teammates. Football is what I love most.

Mariama: Football holds a deep personal meaning to me. It serves as more than just a sport, it is passion, a way of life, and a significant part of my identity. My ambition is to become involved in coaching and mentorship, helping younger players develop their skills and confidence, contributing to the growth of women's football in my community and The Gambia at large. I want to advocate for greater opportunities, recognition, and equality for women in football.

What is the future for football in The Gambia? What would you like to change?

Jarra: The future is to develop great players and coaches. If I become a professional I would like to change a few things in The Gambia - I want to create more football fields, stadiums, schools, football hotels, and improve the marketing of football players.

Fatoumatta: The future is bright. People are getting more and more involved and aware to the extent that it pushed the football governing body, The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), into a process to professionalise the league, which is a dream that I would like to see happen.

Mariama: Women’s football is gaining momentum in The Gambia, with more girls and women participating at all levels. The future could see the establishment of more structured leagues and greater support for women`s teams. I would like to increase investment and support. There needs to be more financial and logistical support from both the government and private sector. Increased funding for facilities, training, and player development is crucial. This would create better coaching and development programs and also professionalization of leagues.