Banjul City Council, in partnership with Waa Banjul Volleyball Club, successfully hosted the maiden edition of the International Volleyball Festival at the Manneh Sillah Lawn, reinforcing the City’s commitment to sports development, youth engagement, and regional cooperation.
The tournament brought together teams from The Gambia and Senegal in a vibrant showcase of competitive volleyball and cross-border friendship. A total of eleven female teams four from Senegal and seven from The Gambia and eight male teams two from Senegal and six from The Gambia participated in the competition.
As host and partner, Banjul City Council fully received and lodged all participating teams and provided the necessary logistics to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of the tournament. Each club arrived with an 18-member delegation, amounting to 342 participants, alongside seven referees, bringing the total number of persons hosted to 349. The Council also provided the Manneh Sillah Lawn as the official venue for the tournament.
On behalf of the Mayor of Banjul, Her Worship Rohey Malick Lowe, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Abdou Aziz Dabakh Gaye, officially kicked off the tournament at the Manneh Sillah Lawn, reaffirming the Council’s support for sports as a platform for unity, youth empowerment, and international friendship. The men’s final featured Police Volleyball Club against YMCA Volleyball Club, with Police Volleyball Club emerging winners by three sets to two after a keenly contested match. In the women’s final, Sococim Volleyball Club faced Police Volleyball Club, with Sococim securing victory by three sets to two.
The final match was attended by the President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC), the Member of Parliament for Banjul North, the Member of Parliament for Banjul Central, the Second Vice President of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), alongside other dignitaries, sports administrators, and respected veterans of the game, highlighting the importance of the event on the national sporting calendar. At the conclusion of the tournament, the Deputy Mayor also handed over the winners’ trophy, marking a fitting close to a successful maiden edition.
Banjul City Council further acknowledges the pivotal role played by Commissioner Ms. Marie Wadda and her team, whose coordination and facilitation were instrumental to the effective organization and overall success of the tournament.
Banjul City Council extends its appreciation to Waa Banjul Volleyball Club, all participating teams, match officials, and partners whose collective efforts ensured the success of this historic event. The Council remains committed to supporting sporting initiatives that promote excellence, solidarity, and position Banjul as a welcoming and capable host city.
