In a bid to promote the sport of karate among Gambians, The Gambia Karate Federation is preparing to organise a maiden Beach Karate show on Sunday at the Palma Rima Beach.

In an interview with Observer Sports ahead of the event, Ahmed D Jack, the President of The Gambia Karate Federation said the Federation is with the view that organising such an event would further sell the sport.

“Therefore, as far as public awareness is concerned, we deemed it necessary to go to beach where many gather.”

According to him, all is set for the event and all the clubs will be represented, while encouraging the general public to attend the event.

Reflecting back since his election as the President of the Federation in 2015, Jack claimed there is transparency and collectiveness in their daily running.

However, he lamented that the Federation is being confronted with financial constraints, revealing that his executive inherited only D404 from the previous executive.

by Alieu Ceesay 

The executive and members of the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) have expressed gratitude to all those individuals and institutions that contributed to making the 7th National Sports Award and Gala a success.

The event, held on the 22nd April at the Njembeh Hotel, according to the SJAG, would not have been successful without the support of individuals that attended the event, as well those institutions that bought tables and sponsored awards.

“We thank you all and hope to partner with you in our next year’s event as we vow to continue celebrating our countrymen and women in sports,” said SJAG.

Guaranty Trust Bank on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Gambia Secondary School Football Association, under the auspices of The Gambia Football Federation, for a four-year sponsorship of the Secondary Schools Football Tournament for both male and female, which will henceforth be called “GTBank Principals Cup”.

The Principals Cup is aimed at actively engaging the youth through sports whilst promoting the values of excellence and fair play.

In the package, the Bank will give D500, 000 to the Association as administrative cost. The winners of both male and female categories will receive a cash prize of D45, 000.00 and a trophy each. The runners up will receive D40, 000.00 cash prize each. All participating teams will be provided with a set of GTBank branded jerseys, 2 footballs, officers’ wear and a whistle. The organising committee will be provided with GTBank branded shirts as well as a broadcast of the finals on GRTS.

Speaking at the event held at GTBank head office along Kairaba Avenue, Bolaji Ayodele, Managing Director of GTBank, said the journey leading to the signing ceremony was long and hopes efforts made to get to the agreement would be justified when the agreement would have elapsed in four years time.

“Let me also register my sincere thanks to The Gambia Football Federation and the Secondary Schools Football Association for accepting to partner with us in the development of grassroots football through school football.”

Guaranty Trust Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility, he went on, is proud   to sponsor the promotion of youth development through grassroots football competition.

“Our Bank’s interest in football started in 2005 when GTBank plc partnered with Lagos State to resuscitate the Principals Cup competition in the State. The sponsorship objective for the Bank is to adopt sports as a tool to provoke academic excellence and create local football stars that will become ambassadors to the international community. It is noteworthy to say that the success of the Principals Cup gave birth to other GTBank-sponsored football competitions – The Heritage Cup and Super Cup.”

Mr Ayodele went on: “It is our expectation that partnering with The Gambia Secondary Schools Football Association to establish the GTBank Principals Cup competition will bring senior secondary schools together, in an atmosphere of camaraderie. We also hope that the competition will rekindle the nostalgia inherent in the older generation through their memories and participation in football competitions.”

GTBank, he revealed, has budgeted D1, 400, 000.00 for this year’s tournament, and D500, 000.00 of the total budget will be paid to The Gambia Secondary Schools Football Association to meet their administration cost.

On his part, Martin Gomez, President of The Gambia Secondary School Football Association, thanked GTBank for the timely intervention and promised that the Association would live up to expectation.

He urged other private institutions to emulate the good work by GTBank, noting that the Association is doing a lot in promoting grassroots sports through schools.

Lamin Kaba Bajo the President of GFF said he was quite impressed witnessing the signing ceremony. He said the new development would greatly help in the development of sports at the grassroots level.

“Promoting grassroots football through schools is very fundamental in the development strategy and action plan of the GFF. The GFF will not rest on our laurels in ensuring that the tournament goes successful,” said Bajo.

Youth and Sports Minister, Alieu K Jammeh, said GTBank has for many years been supporting sports development, football in particular.

Jammeh a former staff of GTBank, said the Government has given so much priority to sports development, particularly football. He therefore thanked the Bank for complementing Government’s efforts.

“Sustainable development of sports requires all hands on deck. Private sector participation can lighten the budgetary burden on Government,” he concluded.

by Alieu Ceesay

The disciplinary committee of The Gambia Football Federation has imposed a two-match ban on Sulayman Kuyateh, Head Coach of domestic first division side Brikama United, for what the committee calls ‘misconduct on the bench’

Coach Kuyateh is therefore not allowed to sit or stand behind the team bench nor is he to enter the dressing room before, during, and after the games. “Failure to comply will lead to a severe disciplinary action,” said the disciplinary committee.

In a similar move, the same committee has suspended Malang I Bojang and Dodou Sambou, both of Immigration Football Club. Bojang is suspended for two matches for committing a serious foul play, while Sambou has also been suspended for one match after a second cautionable offence.

Meanwhile, due to an engagement at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, the league  match between Steve Biko and GPA has been moved to  the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium.

by Alieu Ceesay

Following his heroic performance that saw Jalaan FC gain promotion to the Oman Premier League, Gambia-born and former Bakau United player Bura Ebrima Camara has reacted to his success in the Asian country.

“Words are not sufficient enough to express my delight and overall impressions about my career as a footballer, having satisfactorily participated tirelessly in shooting my team, Jaalan FC of Oman into two straight promotions in two years to the Oman Premier League,” he posted on his Facebook page.

He added: “This is a life time dream that came through for me alongside my countrymen Mutarr Jallow & Osman Marem, even with all the challenges we found within. But I know we did not do this alone. We did it with you – the management, the people of Oman, the fans from Oman; to my homeland, The Gambia/Senegal; my family, friends at home and abroad. I wouldn’t have been better without you.”

The lad also thanked everyone for their tireless efforts through the hard times that helped him grow from strength to strength in pursuit of his goals.

“You all have been so special and I am most grateful to you all. I must send a special word of appreciation to my mother who has never relented in her efforts to pray for me. I thank the management and teammates at Jaalan FC for the courage and support given to me at all times. Today I feel honoured to the highest level and even more determined to do more day in day out,” he concluded.

by Alieu Ceesay

It is all about celebrations for the Bakau-based powerhouse, Warriors Handball Club, after being crowned champions in both the male and female handball leagues.

Speaking to Observer Sports, the head coach of Warriors handball teams, Omar Bahoum, congratulated his players on the achievement, saying winning the league is not new to the Warriors.

“This is our fourth time winning the league and we hope to continue winning it. It was not an easy journey as many teams were ready for us [Warriors] and their reactions to our team was very tense,” elated Bahoum told Observer Sports.

Even though the cash prize attached to winning the league has not been attractive over the years, Bahoum told Observer Sports that Warriors was yet to receive their cash prizes as champions as the time of the interview

by Alieu Ceesay

It is all rosy so far for the rejuvenated media powerhouse Daily Observer FC as the side continues its fine run with a second consecutive win against Fire Service in the 2016 National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA) organised football tournament.

A determined Observer side is proving unstoble as demonstrated by its deserved 1-0 win over Fire Service on Saturday morning at the Serrekunda East mini stadium.

The only goal of the game was scored by Observer’s Modou Ceesay just after 20 minutes into the first half.

Meanwhile, after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Prison Service at Manjai, national broadcaster GRTS are sinking and it seems they will have to hang their boots until next the edition, after losing two consecutive games, with one game remaining in the group stage.

The country’s leading and most authoritative newspaper’s football team is now joined at the top of the group table by Prison Service with 6 points after two games. GRTS and Fire Service are equal at the bottom of the table.

In an interview with Observer Sports, Pamodou Faal, the Daily Observer team coach,  commended his boys for the brilliant performance. “I congratulate them on the second win. My priority is to win the trophy.”

He thanked the management under the leadership of MD Momodou Sabally for the moral and financial commitment to the team’s participation.

Already dubbed “the meeting of the giants”, Daily Observer’s next game is against Prison Services and head coach Faal is optimistic of a win.

Meanwhile, National Road Authority (NRA) were also the better side in their encounter with Ministry of Trade as they won 2-0 at the Serrekunda West mini stadium.

by Alieu Ceesay

The Gambia Karate Federation is said to be owing the International Karate Federation (IKF) about US$46, 000 (equivalent to D1.7M), Observer Sports has gathered.

The outstanding debt is said to emanate from unpaid annual affiliation fees and unsettled bills for not attending IKF-organised events, to which the National Federation was officially invited.

Therefore the International Federation had to bill the National Federation for causing financial loss, by not notifying the international body of not attending.

In an interview with Observer Sports, Ahmed D Jack, the President of the Gambia Karate Federation confirmed: “I just received a mail of a bill from the World Karate Federation, since 1998 up to 2015, The Gambia Karate Federation owes World Karate Federation almost about US$46, 000.”

As to how his executive intends to pay this huge amount, Jack said his executive was working on how to discuss the issue with the International Federation because as he put it “the National Federation is not financially strong”.

On the challenges confronting the Association, Jack said: “We have a big problem because what we have inherited leaves much to be desired. For example from 2003 to the June 2015 [when we took over], there was only D404 in the coffers of the Karate Association. There were no books of accounts and apart from the stamps we did not receive anything from the previous executive,” he told this reporter.

by Alieu Ceesay

The Gambia Kung Fu Federation on Saturday held its congress at the Semega Janneh Hall where a new executive body was elected to steer the affairs of the Federation for the next four years.

At the congress, delegates elected Bernad Mendy as President; Isatou  Cham, Vice President; Secretary, Awa Bah; Sainey Jarju, assistant secretary; Ebou Sanyang, Public Relations Officer (PRO); Bakary Marong, Assistant PRO; Modou Lamin Badgie, Treasurer; Mafugi Barry, Assistant Treasurer; Robert Buhari, Auditor; Ebrima Jatta, Assistant Auditor.

In an interview with Observer Sports, the newly-elected President, Bernad Mendy, thanked the delegates for the trust they had in electing him to lead the Federation, and acknowledged that the new post comes with lot of challenges.

According to him, his executive is ready for the task ahead in reviving, promoting and developing Kung Fu in the country. He thus urged on stakeholders in Kung Fu to support the executive to realise the objectives of the Federation.

He revealed his plans to decentralise the sports across the country by using schools. However, he lamented that the Federation is not financially strong and calls for support from the public and private institutions.

“We want to rebuild and rebrand our sports.”

by Binta Bah

The Gambia National Swimming team will join other African countries in the upcoming 5th edition of the Zone 2 Swimming Championship to be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 27th -29th May 2016.

Gambia’s participation in this historic event will mark its second appearance on the African stage following its first appearance in 2011 when it competed in the 4th edition of Zone 2 African Swimming Championship held in Dakar.

The national team is expected to leave for a training camp in Dakar a week prior to the competition to acquaint themselves with the new swimming rules.

The championship will take place at the Piscine Olympique Nationale,  a 2000 seater stadium, with 50-metre Swimming pools of eight  lanes and an automatic officiating equipment with a scoreboard.

The Gambian team to the championship in Dakar will feature  young Gambian swimmer Pap D. Jonga, who will be competing in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, after his successful participation in the FINA World Swimming Championship held in Doha in 2014 and Kazan, 2015.

Source: Omar Jarju, West Coast Radio

Registration for the 2016 SWESO qualifying rounds for the Nawettan proper is open until the end of May, announced Serrekunda West Sports Organisation (SWESO) on Monday.

Bai Ndongo Drammeh, Public Relations Officer of SWESO, told Observer Sports that the registration fee is D4, 000 and is on a first come first served basis.

“Only 3 teams will qualify for the SWESO Nawetan proper and those interested in competing can contact 3990449/ 3937977 for more info,” he told this medium.

According to him, Serrekunda West wants to go by the GFF football calendar and finish the Nawettan on time so that it can better prepare for the 2016 Super Nawettan (Zonals).

Serrekunda West is currently the defending champions of the Zonals.

by Alieu Ceesay

The Gambia National U-20 team is preparing for its 1st leg of the second round qualifier match against Morocco at home for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017.

The match will be played on Saturday, May 21st, at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The Young Scorpions are currently honing their skills at the Stadium in readiness for the double tie in the second round of qualifiers for the U-20 tournament in Zambia next year. Coach Omar Sise and his charges train thrice weekly at the Stadium.

The Gambia reached the second round of the qualifiers after beating Sierra Leone 4-0 on aggregate.

Source: gff.gm

The multi-million Dalasi Brufut Mini-Stadium project was signed over the weekend, which also marked the official commencement of work on the site.

The project was signed between Togny Fahlen representing Grundstein Group, the contractors, and Ba Jabbi of Norga International Holding Company, the sponsors.

Speaking during the short signing ceremony, Ba Jabbie, CEO of Norga, said Norga, through its founder Mamadi Ceesay, is very well delighted to see the commencement of this project which is in line with its vision to make difference in the lives of the Gambian people.

He said the Brufut stadium project will comprise a football pitch and pavilions, a football academy, a school, a basketball lawn and a wrestling arena. Jabbi thanked all partners, donors and the community of Brufut for making the dream a reality.

Togny Fahlen, representing contractors, said he and his company feel very delighted to be associated with the project and vowed to serve the project in many ways, more than just constructing the buildings.

The project is estimated to last for 19 months. Already all materials for the artificial pitch have arrived at the project site.

Norga Holding is a Gambian registered company, former operator of the West African Lotto Company. It is one of the most active sports-supporting companies in the country.

Source: Lamin Cham

Gambian Paralympian Demba Jarju will represent the country in the Paralympic Games for the second consecutive time after he booked qualification to the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games in the 800meters category. Demba Jarju finished 3rd position in the 800mtrs race with a timing of 2.23, held in Morroco.

Demba, who qualified for the London Paralympic Games in 2012, has his participation in the Morroco qualification fully funded by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh Babili Mansa through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

However, Paralympian Malang Tamba was left disappointed after he failed to qualify for the Brazil Games in Morroco, but the Paralympic Committee is said to be looking for funds to send Malang Tamba and Ida Nyang to try their luck in another qualification to be held France.

Demba Jarju said he was happy for qualifying for the Paralympic Games, while appealing for more support for Gambia to have more paralympians get qualified.

“I thank the President of the country for his support to our participation in the qualifiers in Morroco. It was a tough trip but I thank God that I have achieved my objective for my country, which was to qualify,” he told Observer Sports.

Currently, without the appropriate wheelchairs for his training and proper competitions, Jarju is not losing hope that he can bring glory home when he finally jet into Brazil. However, all that he needs is support and motivation from the general public.

Sulayman Colley is the President of The Gambia National Paralympic Committee and he was full of praises for the Gambian leader for his countinuous support to disabled sports. He said his committee wants to see more athletes represent The Gambia in Brazil.

by Alieu Ceesay

Gambian female athlete, Gina Bass, dominated the 100 and 200m race of the annual Dakar Regional Athletic Championship  held from the 4th to the 8th May, 2016 at the Leopold Sedar Senghor and Iba Mar Diop  Stadiums in Dakar, Senegal.

Gina Bass, who is  on a Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) Olympic Solidarity Scholarship at the  IAAF High Performance  Centre (HPC) in Dakar, won the 100m event with a timing of 11.40 seconds  in the opening day of the Championship.

She was followed by another Gambian  Fatou Sowe, both from Jaraaf Athletics Club  with a timing of  12.05 seconds while  Pesse Prenam of IAAF Performance Centre finished 3rd with  12.13 seconds.

Barely twenty hours after winning the 100m, Gina Bass, who was last month awarded as Gambia’s Best Female Athlete by the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG)  stepped up again to sweep the 200m  with a  time of  23.18  seconds.

Another Gambian athlete under GNOC Scholarship in Dakar, Adama Jammeh, dominated the 200m with a timing of 20.62 seconds. He was followed by Senegalese sprinter Moulaye Sonko with a timing of 21.14 seconds.

In the 100m  men, Adama Jammeh  finished 3rd in 10.34 seconds, behind  Moulaye Sonko in 2nd with 10.33 seconds and Guy Arthur Cisse, first position with 10.30 seconds.

The two Gambian athletes, Gina Bass and Adama Jammeh, both competing under Jaraaf Athletics Club, were the stars of the Championship, making the best performances with a total of 1116 points and  1118 points respectively.

Adama Jammeh was also voted as the best athlete of the regional championship.

The third GNOC scholarship holder, Omar Jammeh, won the 800m men with in 1’50’.12.

In the 400m, Tijan Keita finished second with a timing of 48.22 seconds behind Jules Antony Afoumba in 47.86 seconds while  David Leon Bass  was ranked third with a timing of  48.68 seconds.

According to the President of Dakar Athletics League, Bara Thiam, the objectives of the Championship were to test and select the best athletes for the Grand Meeting of Dakar on May 25 as well as prepare for the 2016 Senegalese National Athletics Championships slated for the 5, 6 and 7 June.

He also revealed the competition boosted their preparation for the African Athletics Championship to be held in Durban, South Africa from the 22-26 June, 2016.

Source: Namory Trawally

The Appeals Committee of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has dismissed Red Scorpions` appeal case and upheld the decision of the Organising Committee to relegate the team from the women football top flight, the Federation announced on Tuesday. 

The team was relegated to the second division with some of its players banned after the players physically assaulted match officials, causing bodily harm, in a Football Federation Cup game against close rivals Interior FC almost two weeks ago.

The GFF announced the Appeals Committee’s decision to upheld Red Scorpions relegation in a press release sent to Observer Sports Desk.

The release reads:

On the 22nd April 2016, a first division female FF Cup game took place at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium between Red Scorpions F.C and Interior F.C. At the end of the game, the Match officials came under physical attack from the players and officials of Red Scorpions and as a result they suffered injuries and had to be taken to Fajikunda health centre for treatment.

The Organising Committee of the GFF held a meeting on the 27th April, 2016 and found that Red Scorpions F.C were solely responsible for the ugly and unfortunate incident. Accordingly, the Organising Committee in accordance with Article 26 (b) of the GFF Disciplinary Code imposed a 12 month ban on a number of Red Scorpions players for assaulting the match officials.

In addition, the Organising Committee acting in accordance with Article 29 (b) of the GFF Disciplinary Code imposed a fine of ten thousand dalasis (D10, 000) on Red Scorpions F.C and relegated them to Second tier of the National Women’s League for bringing the game into disrepute.

In reaction, Red Scorpions FC filed an appeal against decision of the Organising Committee to the GFF Appeals Committee. The two grounds of appeal relied on were that- Article  29 of the Disciplinary Code, which the Organising Committee relied on, does not categorically provide the sanctions imposed on the Club; and a plea for leniency because the sanctions are harsh.

Thereafter, the Appeals Committee convened a meeting on Friday 6th May 2016 to consider the appeal. The Appeals Committee considered the following documents in arriving at its decision- the central referees match report; the Match Commissioner`s report; the letter conveying the decision of the Organising Committee; the Red Scorpion FC appeal letter with a receipt evidencing payment of the appeal fee of five thousand dalasis (D5, 000); the GFF Rules and Regulations of Competitions; and the GFF Disciplinary Code.

Appeal ground 1

On the first ground of appeal, the Appeal Committee examined the provisions of Article 29(b) of the Disciplinary Code which provides that apart from the minimum D5,000 fine, “further sanctions may be imposed in the case of serious offences”. The category of sanctions which may be imposed on natural and legal persons is provided for in article 8 of the Disciplinary Code. Under article 8(3), the sanctions which may be imposed on legal persons include relegation to a lower division under paragraph (i). Accordingly, the Appeals Committee held that the sanctions imposed on Red Scorpions F.C are legally valid.

Appeal ground 2

On the second ground of appeal, the Appeal Committee considered all the circumstances surrounding the incident as reported in the Referee and Match Commissioner`s report. Both reports indicated that the action of Red Scorpions was unprovoked, deliberate, malicious and grossly unsporting. The Committee could find no mitigating circumstance to vary the verdict of the Organising Committee.

Therefore, the Appeals Committee dismisses Red Scorpions` appeal and upholds the decision  of the Organising Committee.

Going thoroughly through the referee and match commissioner`s reports, the Appeals Committee found that the Red Scorpions Head Coach and Assistant Coach Choro Mbenga and Dodou Faye were alleged to have joined in the attack against the match officials. The match commissioner also reported the unprofessional behavior of the Referee Assessor who was openly pointing out the “errors” of the central referee during the match. However the Organising Committee failed to deal with those persons.

Accordingly, the Appeals Committee hereby refers the cases of the Head Coach and Assistant Coach of Red Scorpions to the Organising Committee and the Referees Association respectively for their urgent consideration and action.”

by Alieu Ceesay

Salieu Jammeh is a young recommended Gambian cyclist among the few people that are relentlessly working to promote and develop biking in The Gambia.

He took cycling as a career after meeting a white cyclist friend in Cassamance few years back, who in-spired and motivated him to get in the game. Since then, the youngster has no other thing to do but devoting his time and energy to transform The Gambia into a globally recognized cycling country.

In a chat with this Columnist, Salieu revealed that his aim is to provide every young Gambian a bicycle, as the importance attached to cycling cannot be over emphasized. “I have inspired series of young Gambians, especially students into cycling and those that have taken it seriously are benefiting from it. To my surprise, I have recently noticed that many young Gambians are building interest towards the game and it seems to be overcoming some other sporting activities in the country, he said.

The young ambitious biker stated that he has lots of benefits from cycling, saying the game took him to so many places in the country and beyond, created him an avenue to meet new friends, gives him better health condition and a lot more. “The experience I have acquired from the game is benefiting all in one way or the other and I shall continue using it to inspire and instill the interest of cycling into people of The Gambia. I have biked the whole of Gambia and Southern Senegal, and my next project is going to be Guinea Bissau.

Jammeh explained that he’s currently working on a project with Mansakonko foundation by cycling 350 km to raise fund and support GTTI Annex in Mansakonko. “Through Nic Van Der Riet, the adviser of the project and also a biker of Trappist FC Amsterdam, we will continue bringing projects like this. I’m also working with a cyclist friend from Poland, Lucas Vegan, to implement another project for some villages in The Gambia.”

Trappist FC Amsterdam is a well-recognized cycling club in Europe and beyond, and I’m blessed to have a very good friend from the club, Nic Van Der Riet, who is always supporting me and my cycling projects. His interest is to help develop cycling and education in The Gambia.

He finally encouraged Gambian bikers to keep up the momentum and also praised The Gambia Cycling Federation for delivering to expectation.

By Modou Lamin Jammeh

In this edition of Celeb Corner, we are featuring one of Africa’s greatest football icons, Elhadji Diouf.

Observer Light: Give us one sentence about yourself?

Diouf: I am Elhadji Diouf, a former Senegalese international footballer.

Observer Light: Where do you live?

Diouf: I live in Senegal and Singapore

Observer Light: What is your greatest achievement?

Diouf: My greatest achievements are having a nice family, beautiful kids and wonderful friends.

Observer Light: Who is your hero/role model?

Diouf: My role model is Serign Touba

Observer Light: What is your favorite color?

Diouf: My favorite color is black

Observer Light: Who is your favorite artiste?

Diouf: My favourite artiste is Youssou Ndour

Observer Light: What is your favourite Track?

Diouf: My best track is “Ndar”

Observer Light: What is your source of inspiration?

Diouf: My source of inspiration is Serign Touba.

Observer Light: What is the next step in your career?

Diouf: Next for me is to continue giving back to my country and youth of Africa.

Senegal has won the 10th edition of the ECOWAS Tournoi de Lutte Africaine de la Communauté (TOLAC) in Dosso, Niger Republic, a press released from ECOWAS bureau stated.

Senegal beat Niger Republic in the finals of the team event to win the gold medal, with Niger winning the silver and Nigeria the bronze.

The tournament, which featured team and individual events in 66kg, 76kg, 86kg, 100kg and 120kg categories ended on the 8th of May, 2016 with Senegal dominating the medals table at the individual category with Oumar Kane of Senegal winning the gold medal for the 120kg, while Nigeria’s Boltic Sinivie won the silver and Adamou Abdou of Niger the bronze.

Similarly, Senegal won the gold medals for the 100kg, 86kg and 76kg categories while Nigeria won gold for the 66kg and silver for the 100kg and 76kg categories.

TOLAC 2016, which was organised with support from Niger Republic’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, featured wrestlers from Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

The tournament was attended by top government delegations from participating member states and His Excellency Salissou Ada, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of the Republic of Niger, Dr. Fatimata Dia Sow, the Commissioner of Social Affairs and Gender of the ECOWAS Commission and Abdoulaye Issa, the Governor of the Region of Dosso among others.

by Lamin B. Darboe

The Gambia Athletics Association (GAA) will host the 2016 edition of the West African Regional Junior Athletics Championship from 10th to 12th June 2016.

The championship started in 1999 with the 1st edition hosted by The Gambia. All the 16 member states of ECOWAS have been invited to participate in this year’s edition.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, in preparation for the event, the President of the Gambia Athletics Association, Dodou Capi Joof said that The Gambia has over the years done very well in this championship and has won several gold and other medals in this category.

According to him, the championship is expected to be graced by Ahmad Kalkaba Malboum, the current President of the African Athletics Association from Cameroon and Alh. Momar Mbaye, the President of the Regional Athletics Association from Senegal, as well as senior officials of participating teams.

The championship, he told the press, is very important as it gives countries in the region the opportunity to identify their potentials for further developments. He added that all events will be based on purely IAAF rules and official timing machines will be in use.

by Jainaba D Jatta & Fatou Gassama