Youna Sports Hall

Youna Multi-purpose Sports Hall

Volunteer member Lesley Hedley and National Badminton Coach Tim Mawer in liaison with GETS sister charity GTS introduced badminton to two local schools in Youna and Tujering to allow the pupils to have inter-school competitions. The children responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

On Lesley and Tim's return to the UK they decided to raise money to build a multi-purpose sports hall in Youna and the outcome was stunning. Their enthusiasm and efforts raised thousands of pounds and Lesley even ran in the London Marathon.

The hall is now completed and in continuous use and although neither GTS nor GETS ever received the £2000 administration fee for helping with and supervising the building project for Tim and Lesley, we have a very close relationship with the Headmaster Mr. Lamin Kujabi. The hall provides a model and also the practical experience the charity requires for similar projects.

A new hall is planned for the NEW GETS '3 to University' school, that we hope will commence during 2008/9 subject to funding.

Since Jerreh Jammeh was dismissed from the charity in August 2007, GETS and GTS have no direct involvement with the Badminton team, but continue to have close contact with the Headmaster, the school and a number of students sponsored in Youna.

Archive item

Youna Sports Hall (24th Oct 2005)

Almost the largest project undertaken by GTS and now taken over by GETS. This project is the brain child of Lesley Headley and UK National Badminton coach Tim Mawer, who came originally to Gambia to re introduce Badminton to the young people of Gambia.

The result was spectacular and the children at Tujering an neighbouring Youna were enthusiastic and quick enough to learn the game that they were soon holding inter school tournaments.

The project turned from introducing the sport to fund raising to provide a massive hall for the school in Youna to use for multi purposes but of course to practise Badminton.

After thousands of £'s have been raised by the tireless efforts of Lesley who is something of a human dynamo the hall is reaching completion.

Tim and Lesley arrive in Gambia in late October 05 and a full update will be given at the end of their stay and we hope to announce the date the hall will be opened - we all hope that the President himself will open this major project.

All credit for the fund raising goes to Tim and Lesley but a massive vote of thanks also goes to Jerreh and Kabs formerly GTS now GETS staff for all of the leg work, phone calls and organisation to keep the building project going and for looking after Tim and Lesley during their frequent visits.