Norwegian champions FK Bodø/Glimt are expanding their presence in West Africa through an ambitious academy project in The Gambia which is aimed at developing young football talents.
The initiative forms part of the club’s long-term plan to discover and train promising players from the region and help them move on to Europe in the future.
The project is already showing results. Four young players moved to Norway last year to continue their development, joining two others who made the move in 2024. This shows the club’s effort to create opportunities outside Africa.
At the centre of the programme is a structured training system. The academy currently has 35 players under the age of 19, who train six times every week.
The focus is not only on football skills, but also on discipline, tactics, and physical strength needed to play at the European level.
Bodø/Glimt’s approach follows a growing trend of European clubs investing in youth football in Africa. However, their work in The Gambia stands out because it offers a clear development path and long-term support.
With early success already visible, the Norwegian club is building a strong link that could benefit both the team and football development in West Africa in the future.
By: Pascal Amoah
