Welcome to the Golden Youth Football Academy!

As you browse our website, you will notice the various arms of the organisation and how we carry out our work.

During my visits to Gambia prior to 2014, I had conversations with my mother about the possibility of living in the country. It was during these discussions that I stumbled upon the idea of establishing a football academy with the aspiration of becoming a leading institution on the continent by bringing the standard of football I was used to in London to The Gambia. As I delved deeper into this project, engaging with young people, parents, teachers, and conducting extensive research, I became acutely aware of the pressing issue Gambia faced in terms of migration. Many young individuals, driven by the belief that opportunities were lacking in their homeland, resorted to leaving the country, often illegally. This realisation became a prominent theme and a driving force behind my determination to transform this idea into a tangible initiative that would actively engage and benefit the Gambian youth.

Golden Youth Football Academy (GYFA) was founded in 2014 in Sanchaba and takes pride in our community-centerd approach to our work. Nurturing an abundance of young talent and giving opportunities for their potential to be realised. GYFA has always aspired to create a sustainable business model that benefits communities in the following areas: youth development, health and wellness, and educational support.

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Ismail Marshall
Founder & CEO