The Primary School Sports Association is poised to stage the ninth edition of the Inter-Regional Athletics Competition at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on 18th February 2016.

The event forms part of activities marking the celebration of the 51st independence anniversary of The Gambia. It is organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the benefaction of the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya A J J Jammh Babili Mansa. The winner and runner up will receive a giant trophy and a Gambian flag respectively.

Speaking ahead of the event, the President of the Association Alhaji Musa O Mendy said the mega junior athletic contest will also mark the official inauguration of the multi-million Dalasi state-of-the-art running tracks recently constructed at the Independence Stadium by Government through the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Mendy commended the Gambian leader for his continued dedication to the development of sports in the country and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for availing them the opportunity to inaugurate the superlative running tracks.

Dilating on the significance of the event, the first Vice President of the Association Lamin S Jawara described it as crucial in scouting and nurturing young talents in athletics.

The Secretary General of the Association Abdou Karim Sey made similar comments. “Such competitions will help to promote both athletics and social cohesion amongst young aspiring athletes,” he said.

The second Vice President and the Treasurer of the Association Modou Lamin Fofana and Adama Sowe respectively urged all to grace what they called a “would be sporting spectacle.” Entrance to the event is free.

Story written by Karabulie Conteh of GRTS

by Arfang MS Camara

Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) stretched its unbeaten start to the season to ten games following a 2-1 defeat of Samger at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium on Sunday.

Gregory Sambou and Essa Colley scored in the 10th and 29th minutes respectively to give GPA a commanding 2-0 lead and Mamudo Ngum’s 89th minute consolation was not enough to save Samger from a second straight defeat.

With six wins and four draws going into the final game of the first round, Alhagie Sarr’s charges are on 22 points, four ahead of their nearest challengers Brikama United who had defeated Banjul United on Saturday.

Speaking in a post-match interview shortly after the game, Sarr described the win over the Academy Boys as their best performance of the season yet.

“Playing 45 minutes and scoring two goals is very important for us compared to our previous games where we would score one goal or nothing in the first half,” he affirmed, adding that this level of consistency could lead them to their first league title in six years.

GPA will next play Real de Banjul in the final game of the first round before the league takes a break and looking ahead to that match, Sarr warned his players against complacency, urging them to work hard for the three points.

For his part, Omar Jobe the Samger assistant coach expressed his disappointment with the result. He acknowledged that his team played very well but the unavailability of some key players contributed to the loss.

by Arfang MS Camara

Old Jeshwang men and The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) women volleyball teams were on Saturday crowned champions of their respective categories of the 2015 knockout competitions.

In the final played at the Manneh Sillah Memorial ground in Banjul, Old Jeshwang defeated GAF 3-2 to win the male competition to complete a league and cup double after winning the league championship in December.

In the early game of the day, the GAF women secured a comprehensive 3-1 defeat of Gamtel/Gamcel.

Trophies were awarded to various winners and cash prizes of 10,000 to the league champions, and 5,000 to the knockout winners. Interior Coach Ebrima Nyass was decorated as the most discipline coach by the Olympafrica Center in Serrekunda East.

A federal court in Sao Paulo has blocked Barcelona striker Neymar from using almost $50 million worth of assets — including a yacht, a jet and properties, officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The move was taken as the 24-year-old Brazilian is accused of tax evasion between 2011 and 2013.

The court froze 188.8 million reais ($46.7 million) in assets last September but Neymar had been free to use those assets until now. Officials also corrected the amount to 192 million reais ($47.5 million).

“Official documents were sent to several entities such as port authorities, offices that register properties, and civil aviation authorities (so that Neymar no longer has use of these assets),” the judge said in a statement sent to Reuters.

An appeal to block the footballer’s future earnings was, however, rejected, officials said.

Among the assets frozen are three companies of which he and his father are the principal owners. Prosecutors accuse Neymar of setting up companies as fronts in order to pay a lower rate of tax.

Neymar is accused of not paying 63.3 million reais ($15.7 million) in taxes between 2011 and 2013. The judge froze three times that amount for security reasons and to cover potential interest and fines, according to a judicial order explaining the seizure.

Neymar’s total assets were given as 244.2 million reais ($60.4 million).

Neymar has denied any wrongdoing.

Source: Reuters

The Gambia Football Federation is hosting an important African football personality, Francis Akenteng, Technical Director for the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The Ghanaian, the GFF said arrived in The Gambia on the 15th February 2016 as guest of the Federation. He is a technical assistant sent by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) upon a request from the GFF.

“His mission amongst others is to conduct a technical review and study of the GFF Technical Department with a view to advise the latter on how to restructure and strengthen the department and; and help draw up a technical development programme for the GFF in order to improve/enhance her technical capacity,” the GFF said in a press release sent to Observer Sports.

Akenteng, who is also a CAF Technical Instructor and member of CAF Technical and Development Committee, the GFF added will also be one of CAF instructors to conduct a CAF/GFF Club Licensing System Workshop in the country, slated for the 22nd and 23rd February, 2016.

by Momodou Faal

Former National Team player and President of The Gambia National Veteran Footballers Association, Abdou M.C. Jallow was yesterday laid to rest at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery. He passed away on Monday.

A striker during his football days, Jallow also played for the now defunct Starlight Football Club. He worked with The Gambia Revenue Authority for more than two decades.

Speaking in a Daily Observer interview, Abdoulie Star Jallow, the first Vice President of The Gambia Football Federation, who together with Abdou Jallow both hail from Basse in the Upper River Region and played together in the 1970s, described the deceased as a goal merchant.

He added that as a result of his dedication to the game, Abdou Jallow also played for his university football team in the United States. He also recalled that in 2010 when The Gambia hosted a veteran football tournament in which Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea Conakry also participated, the late Abdou captained the Gambian side.

He pointed out that Abdou has also contributed financially to support the running of The Gambia Veteran Footballers Association on many occasions.

Alhaji Momodou Njie, alias, Biri Biri, a Gambian football legend who also played with Abdou Jallow said the deceased also played for Dingareh F.C in Banjul, noting that he was an experienced player who had represented his country at various levels of football with distinction. He added that the late Abdou was a great football lover.

by Baboucarr Camara

Ex-Gambian international Edrissa Sonko has been speaking to the Daily Observer on the latest stage of his career after his appointment as a youth coach at Ras Al-Khaimah’s U-19 side following the end of his professional career at the club.

The former Steve Biko and Real de Banjul winger brought an end to his 14-year professional career at the United Arab Emirates Pro-League side at the end of the 2012/13 season. He was first appointed U-15 coach and having guided his new team to a third-place finish in the 2013/14 season, Sonko has now started the process of attaining his coaching badges.

“I got offered a coaching job at the Club [Ras Al-Khaimah] to work with the U-15’s. I worked the whole season of 2013/14 and finished third in the league. After that I spoke to the club to give me a chance to apply for my coaching badges in the United Kingdom and they agreed,” Sonko intimated.

“During the summer I contacted the PFA [Professional Footballers Association] and send in my application and got accepted to start the course on the 5th October, 2015. After the summer I went back to Dubai and started the pre-season with the U-19’s as an assistant, so I could be going back to the United Kingdom to attend my classes and be back from time to time.”

Edi Sonko, 35, started his football career with Steve Biko in The Gambia and played for the Bakau-based club between 1995 and 1997 before moving to Real de Banjul for a season and was sold by the Banjulians in 1998 to Anderlecht in Belgium.

Edi Sonko though would be remembered by most people for his seven-year stint with Roda JC Kerkrade in the Netherlands whom he joined in 2000 and played more than 100 Dutch Eredivise games, scoring 20 goals. After a brief move to Skoda Xhanthi, he joined Walsall in England, then in the English third tier. He also played for Tranmere Rovers and Hereford United.

He netted his first Tranmere goal in the win at home to Accrington Stanley in the Football League Trophy in September 2008. His first league goal followed just over a week later away at Huddersfield Town, he scored a stunning long range volley in the 2-1 Tranmere win.

Sonko signed a one year deal with Hereford United in 2009 but was released at the end of the season and moved to Cypriot side APEP. In September 2010 he joined Ras AlKhaima Club in the United Arab Emirates, where he made more than 100 appearances and scored 31 goals.

A multiple capped Gambian international at senior level, Edi Sonko completed the second phase of his coaching badges last week and will now link up with his UAE club until May 2016 when he would have to return to England and start the process of attaining his UEFA A License.

Leeds United boss Steve Evans has told BBC Radio Leeds that winger Mustapha Carayol wants to stay at Elland Road permanently.

Carayol, 27, worked under Evans during a loan spell with Crawley Town during the 2007-08 season, and reunited at Leeds in January, having been frozen out at Middlesbrough.

The Gambian international spent the first half of the season on loan with Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town, but after that deal was cancelled, Leeds swooped to land Carayol until the end of the season.

The pacey wide man made an instant impact, scoring a debut goal against Rotherham United in the FA Cup, but he was ineligible to face former club Middlesbrough on Monday, and had been a substitute in the three games prior to the Boro clash.

With seemingly no future at Middlesbrough, Carayol may be using the rest of the season to either prove his worth of a permanent deal at Leeds, or put himself in the shop window for other clubs.

Now, manager Evans has told BBC Radio Leeds that Carayol would ‘love’ to earn a permanent stay at Leeds this summer, and Evans is happy to see that he has been an impact player at Elland Road.

Evans added that Leeds would have to work hard to get a deal done and make sure that his wages don’t exceed those of other top players at the club.

“Mustapha Carayol has come in, and he’s the type of impact player that we knew we were getting when we signed him,” said Evans.

“Mustapha would love been here beyond the summer, but all of us have to make sure that it can get done, and it can get done in a way that keeps the dressing room parity in terms of earning power, and all the stuff that a manager has to manage on a daily basis,” he added.

Source: HITC

Modou Barrow reckons he is getting better all the time as he bids to land a regular slot in Swansea City’s first-choice side.

The Gambian flyer is pushing hard for a maiden start under Francesco Guidolin following a number of bright displays from the bench.

To an extent Barrow has been a victim of Swansea’s decision to play with a narrow, four-man midfield in a number of recent games.

But when he has been given the chance to impress, the 23-year-old has usually made a positive impression.

And while the former Ostersunds player feels he still has a lot to learn about Premier League football, Barrow believes he is making progress.

“I’m getting chances to come on, and for me I think I’m getting better every week. I’m getting better every game,” says Barrow, who arrived in Wales in the summer of 2014.

“A goal will come because every game I’m getting close.

“I’m learning every time I play.

“I’m learning from the training sessions, I’m learning from the guys and I’m learning from the defenders.

“I’m just trying to get better.”

Barrow has managed three Premier League starts this season, the last of which came against Sunderland just over a month ago.

That tally represents a significant step forward for a player who had begun just one top-flight fixture before 2015-16.

But Barrow wants more — and a number of promising cameo appearances have suggested he deserves further opportunities.

If Guidolin plays the diamond at Tottenham next week — which looks a distinct possibility after defeat by Southampton — then Barrow’s chances of making the starting side will be slim.

But whenever Swansea next go with two wide players, he should be a serious contender to make the XI.

“Like I say, I’m just working hard because we have good players in our squad who play on the wing,” Barrow says.

“I’m trying to get better and improve all the time.

“Last season I improved and this season I’ve improved even more.

“A big target is to score my first Premier League goal, but right now I need to play for the team.

“The team is the most important thing.

“The fans are encouraging. They see I’m coming on, working hard and doing good things so that’s a positive for me.”

Meanwhile, Barrow insists Swansea City can strike a couple of major blows in the Premier League relegation fight by upsetting Tottenham and Arsenal.

Swansea face daunting away trips to the two North London giants next in their scrap to stay in the top flight. Having won only twice on their travels all season, Swansea will be given little chance of triumphing at either White Hart Lane or the Emirates.

“They are good sides, but Sunderland beat Manchester United last weekend, so that shows you every game in the Premier League is a tough game,” Barrow said.

Spurs will welcome Swansea a week on Sunday having won their last five Premier League games. Arsenal, who host Guidolin’s men three days later, have lost only once in eight top-flight matches, but Barrow is adamant Swansea will travel in upbeat mood.

Source: South Wales Evening Post

by Arfang Camara

Fixing the athletics track of the Independence Stadium has cost the Government and partners D 25,000,000 out of which, The Gambia Government contributed D 19,000,000 constituting payments to both the local and international contractors, GAMWORKS Agency and MONDO in Italy.

This information was disclosed by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Alieu Kebba Jammeh while commissioning the track covering 6050sq meters last week. He added that as a result of Government’s determined efforts, the Stadium and the Friendship Hostel is slowly but surely reclaiming its lost glory.

“We pride ourselves with a state-of-the-art flood lights, a rehabilitated swimming pool at the Hotel, gradual beautification of the edifice and an installed international standard synthetic running tracks. Currently, we are in consultations to make the scoreboard and the PA systems functional, in the very near future,” he affirmed.

“Therefore, the young people particularly our athletes have reason to be proud of these achievements as the investments are entirely for them. On their behalf, I extend sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the President and his entire Government for once again demonstrating its pro-youth development agenda through this project.”

The Minister also extolled the International Athletics Foundation for contributing US $100,000, as well as the International Associations of Athletics Federation (IAAF) for contributing US $60,000. He also thanked MONDO, the international contractor for manufacturing and laying the tracks, GAMWORKS Agency the local contractor and The Gambia Athletics Association, for making this project possible.

“It is my understanding that some more funds are expected from the IOC [International Olympic Committee] through the GNOC [Gambia National Olympic Committee] and any time those funds are available, we will use them to cover the non-competition areas of the tracks,” he added.

In constructing a solid and sustainable sports development framework for the country, Minister Jammeh said we need a coordinated and coherent community participation in sports, availability of sufficient and standard sports infrastructure and a functioning school sports system. The vision for us, he added is to ensure that these three cardinal components are addressed in a gradual process.

He said it is for this reason that the government continuous to pump millions in revamping the Independence Stadium. “Similarly, it is why the two Ministries of Youth and Sports and Basic and Secondary Education continue to collaborate through a smart partnership to revive school sports. As we recognise the cost involved in this project and note the importance of having such tracks, we implore on all and sundry for the proper use of the tracks so that its longevity can be guaranteed,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, after the inauguration of the track, the traditional Independence Day inter-schools athletics championship was held for the first time at the Stadium in four years. Region One ended Region Two’s monopoly on the trophy by finishing in pole position with 311 points, with the latter coming in second with 305 points. Region Three finished third with 287 points while Region Four came out in fourth with 263 points. Region Five and Sixth finished on 232 and 228 points respectively.

by Arfang MS Camara

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) in collaboration with The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Monday commenced a two-day CAF Club Licensing System seminar for first division clubs in The Gambia.

The seminar is aimed at equipping clubs with the requisite knowledge in the areas of administration and, financial structures. GFF Club Licensing Manager Victoria Roberts will conduct the seminar together with a group of 3 CAF Club Licensing Instructors in the persons of Paul Bassey (Nigeria) on administrative, legal and financial criteria instructions; Dominic Oneya (Nigeria) on infrastructure criteria instructions and Francis Akenteng (Ghana) on sporting criteria instructions.

Speaking at the opening of the programme on Monday, Lamin Kaba Bajo the GFF President said club licensing is becoming a major requirement for member clubs of the continent and as a result CAF is running out of patience.

“In a very short period it would be mandatory for all clubs who wants to participate in CAF championships to fully comply with the regulations, thus, the urgency is demanding,” Bajo said, adding that the Federation has given utmost importance and priority to training and capacity building in all aspects towards the development of the game.

Bajo noted that without good knowledge and capacity building, the Federation will not be able to achieve the objective that they have assigned themselves or to fully implement the strategic development plans they tasked themselves during their course of tenure in office.

He went on to challenge all the club representatives to make best use of this opportunity and later utilise at their clubs. He finally thanked the Confederation of African Football for accepting their request to conduct the seminar in The Gambia.

For his part, Marcel Mendy, the Executive Director of the National Sports Council said the seminar will expose participants to all the nitty-gritty of administration, licensing, management amongst others. Describing the seminar as critical, Mendy urged participants to make the seminar a very interesting and educative session. He also urged them to ask questions on related topics to know more about it and how to utilise at their respective clubs.

Dominic Oneya, a member of the CAF Inter-clubs Organising Committee said the seminar will avail the clubs the opportunity to improve their football administration and financial structures.

by Baboucarr Camara

Gambian international Omar Colley’s strong displays for Djurgarden in his first season in the Swedish top flight hasn’t gone unnoticed with reports that France’s Monaco and Ghent of Belgium are among the several European clubs interested in his signature.

The former Real de Banjul and Wallidan defender started 27 of Djurgarden’s 30 league games in 2015 as the Tele2Arena outfit finished sixth on the table. Speaking in an exclusive interview with FotbollDirekt ahead of the new season that will get underway in April, Colley, 23, though admitted that several clubs watched him in action with the hope of signing him but refused to mention those sides.

“There were a few clubs that were interested, but it was between clubs, so I cannot say anything about it. What I can say is that I have two years left on my contract with Djurgarden, and that I am happy at the club, the fans and the players, everyone. I still have time to move on, but I’m happy right now,” Colley told FotbollDirekt.

“They always talk with my agent, he is responsible for everything around that, and Bosse Andersson [Sporting Director of Djurgarden]. They do their job and I do mine on the field. You never know in football. If I [continue to] work hard, it will happen one day, but right now I try to do my best for Djurgarden and get as good season in 2016 as possible.”

Omar is now starting his second season with Djurgarden since he was acquired from Kupio in the Finnish league last year. He described his first season as very good where he played some really good matches and developed into a more mature player. He also described the feeling of moving into a bigger league and making an immediate impact as good.

“I think I have improved a lot in terms of my tackles, but I’m still learning. I think I have adapted myself more and more to the league. This will be my second season and I will try to do the same things as last year, and try to improve even more. No player is perfect, I have to work on the basics and the mistakes I made last season to get better,” he added.

“I’ve been working a lot on my defensive game with the coaches to improve what I lack in the defensive play. I have improved a lot. I’ve had some small problems with injuries, but I’m stronger now than I was last season. I’m happy here. I have only played one season here, and played better than I would have thought that I would do. It was a good step for me.”

Now that the second season is about to start, Colley said it is important to remain focused and do what the coach tells him to do; try to improve on his shortcomings, and help the team to win something. The fans, he said are fantastic and have been there for him since day one, therefore, he has nothing left to give back to them but owe it to them. He reaffirmed his commitment to play for the fans and all the good people around him.

Colley won the African U-17 Championship with The Gambia in 2009 and has since graduated to the Scorpions first team further described himself as an open-minded individual and a leader on the pitch.

The Gambia Cricket Association organised two cricket matches on Saturday and Sunday February 20th and 21st in commemoration of The Gambia’s 51st Independence anniversary. The matches were played at the July 22nd Square, in Banjul.

On Saturday, Banjul Under-19 boys locked horns with Kanifing Municipality. in this encounter with all the trimmings and flare, the boys batted very well, with proper line and length bowling.

The toss was won by Banjul who batted first and scored 105 runs in their allotted overs and putting the set target of 106. Ousman Touray batted and scored 28 runs, the highest for them. Bai Cherno Nyang bowled and took 3 wickets in 3 overs bowled for 13 runs.

The KM team batted in the second innings and scored 47 runs not getting the set target. Baboucarr Jallow batted and scored 8 runs for them. Baboucarr Secka bowled and took 3 wickets in 2 overs for 5 runs. Banjul won the match by 58 runs.

On Sunday 21st, the big boys were in action. Banjul won the toss against KM and batted first and scored 146 runs all out in 18 overs and putting the set target of 147. Andreh Jarju batted and scored 30 runs, the highest for them. Mustapha Suwareh bowled and took 3 wickets in 4 overs bowled for 26 runs.

The KM team batted in the second innings and scored 130 runs not getting the set target. Ismaila Tamba batted and scored 23 runs for them. Abubacarr Kuyateh bowled and took 2 wickets in 4 overs for 24 runs. Banjul won the match by 16 runs.

The tournament was sponsored by Andrew Shanks from Sussex who provided the playing shirts and the Mayors of Banjul and Kanifing Municipality.

Source: Gambia Cricket Association

Steve Evans has passionately defended his position as Leeds United head coach and claims the club would be in a relegation dogfight without his signings.

Gambian midfielder Mustapha Carayol and Sunderland’s Liam Bridcutt are two of three signings made by Evans since he joined the club and the 27-year-old has impressed since his arrival.

Evans is under-pressure at Elland Road. But he points to Bridcutt and his two other signings Toumani Diagouraga and Mustapha Carayol as a key reason why the mid-table Yorkshire outfit aren’t currently involved in a battle to stay up.

Bridcutt had failed to feature at all under either Dick Advocaat or Sam Allardyce at Sunderland this season, with both considering him surplus to requirements. He joined Leeds on loan until the end of the season in January, with a view to a permanent switch in the summer.

“The one thing that I don’t forget is that when I first accepted the job at Leeds United, I had one remit from the owner – to stay up,” a passionate Evans told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“Because everyone, including a lot of Leeds United supporters who I have known for years, thought they were going down.

“This is a question for the Leeds fans, of which I am one, but I am not answering the question myself as I am not that silly.

“But without Digaouraga, without Bridcutt and without Carayol coming in, do they think we would be a in a relegation fight come the end of the season?

“I have only brought three players in and have they improved us? The answer is by some distance.

“Without Bridcutt and Diagouraga alone, would we have been involved in a relegation fight?

“And I think the president’s answer is yes because he moved Uwe [Rosler] out, he allowed me to bring them in so he has identified it as well.”

Source: Sunderland Echo

by Baboucarr Camara

Gambian international defender Omar Colley is in contention to become the new Djurgarden captain after the departure of regular skipper Emil Bergstrom to Russian side Rubin Kazan.

The former Wallidan prodigy is in his second season with the Swedes after moving from Kupio in January 2015. If chosen, Colley won’t be the first Gambian to have skippered Djurgarden with the first being Pa Dembo Touray.

“Emil was the team captain and is a friend of mine. I am a leader in the defense even though I do not have the captaincy. If I would get the band is just a bonus, but I still think that I am a leader and will continue to be there whether I get it or not. I don’t know the club culture; how they choose a captain and so, it’s not my thing. I focus on the football,” Colley told Fotbollirekt this week.

“I’m still a leader on the pitch but we have some older players too. There are other great players who have been in the club and the league more likely to go ahead of me in the discussion, but if I get it fine, I’ll take it, but I do not think it’s my thing. I focus on the football.”

Colley, 23, a native of Lamin came to prominence while playing for The Gambia’s biggest and most successful club, Wallidan, where he won league and cup titles. He also became an African U-17 champion in 2009 while playing for the Blues and would go on to represent his country at the 2011 African Youth Championship in South Africa and made his senior Scorpions debut.

After six years at Wallidan, he briefly moved to Real de Banjul and was later sold to Kupio. After two years with the Finns, Colley was described as “perhaps our best foreign signing ever” by the KuPS club President. He joined Djurgarden for the 2015 season and proved one of their best players last year with his uncompromising style of play earning him the nickname “The Monster”. He is currently linked with a move to Monaco and Ghent but Colley said he is taking his time by following the footsteps of his ex-defensive partner Bergstrom.

“Emil works very hard and has a lot of talent, and has played in the league for five years since he was 17. He knows everything about the league, and helped me personally a lot even though I am older than him. We worked together hand in hand, and were one of the best center-back pairs in the first half of last season,” Colley reaffirmed.

“He deserves this; he has worked so hard and has played for the national team [of Sweden], it was his turn to move on. I know the fans are not happy about it, but it was his turn to move, and I’m happy for him. He’s a good friend, and we’re still talking. Maybe one day it will be me, but I’m happy for him right now.”

Despite Bergstrom’s departure, Colley said Djurgarden has the talent to compensate for the loss, but added that it means he has to step up his level, describing it as a challenge for him and the other players. He was quick to add that this competition between him and the other defenders doesn’t mean they have any animosity against each other.

Djurgardan hasn’t won the championship since their double winning season of 2005 and Colley said they have to improve especially in big games if they are to return the Allsvenskan title to the Tele2Arena.

“We played four derbies last season, and did not even win a single one. There were some disappointments, but I think it will be better this year. We need to improve our weaknesses and win a derby, for that is what the fans want. From what I hear from the fans, we can fail to win the league, but we have to beat AIK and Hammarby,” Colley concluded.

by Baboucarr Camara

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has reaffirmed its support of Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa as its candidate to replace Sepp Blatter in Friday’s FIFA Presidential elections.

The GFF President, Lamin Kaba Bajo, is headed for Swiss today and he will be among 209 delegates made up of Presidents of the world football governing body’s member associations that will vote a new leadership for FIFA with the body clogged in a major corruption scandal.

“The position of CAF is that Sheikh Salman is our candidate after he presented his manifesto to its members because we believe that he can help in developing the game in Africa,” Lamin Kaba Bajo told the Daily Observer yesterday.

“As an executive member of WAFU [West African Football Union] we also agreed that we will vote for Sheikh Salman because he will pursue and continue Blatter’s legacy to develop football in Africa so Gambia will definitely vote for him.”

Bajo’s remarks came after CAF decided at an executive committee meeting in the Rwandan capital this month to endorse Salman’s candidacy, just weeks after it had signed a co-operation agreement with the Asian Football Confederation, of which Salman is President.

The decision, however, is not binding on CAF’s 54 member countries and Salman’s closest rival Gianni Infantino this week alleged that he is expecting to get more than half of the African votes, prompting a repudiation from the continental body.

“All (those) hoping to break up the sacred union and solidarity that have always been in the African football family are bound to failure,” CAF Vice President Suketu Patel said in a statement yesterday.

With CAF very outspoken about its decision to back Salman to succeed Blatter, there is the possibility that if the Bahraini fails to win, it could mean a difficult working relationship between them and the new boss but Bajo repudiated that possibility.

“This is the beauty of politics and democracy and I think even if another candidate wins, that person will respect us even more for our open stance. CAF has taken the decision on our behalf and we are in agreement,” Bajo concluded.

by Awa Gassama & Fatoumatta K Saidykhan

Sports for health, an annual event co-organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Health and Social Welfare will be held in March 11, 12 and 13 this year.

The event will take the same format, starting with a march pass from the Churchills Town Petron Station to the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium in Kanifing, where various speeches would be delivered soon after which sporting activities would commence.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer, Marcel Mendy the Executive Director of the National Sports Council said the event is going to be held in a grant style in which during the events, medical tests would be conducted on diseases such as diabetics, high blood pressure, among others.

“It has been scientifically proven that most of us suffer from different illnesses due to inactiveness, hence we suffer from this due to lack of proper exercise as a result of that, us as the Ministry of Sport and Ministry of Health think we have a role to play in this to encourage people to take part in sports activities, encourage and put in place ideas and strategies to involve them in sports. We can only have a wealthy nation if we have a healthy population,” Mendy affirmed.

The participating teams in the various sporting disciplines are divided into five categories, namely; The Legislature, Judiciary, Executive, Business Community and Politicians. The different sporting activities include football, volleyball, among others.

Speaking further, Marcel Mendy disclosed that a trophy is allocated for each event, the winners, the goal scorers, best player, most active players both male and female. “Our expectations are to receive a huge turnout and make it a success hence the idea of Sports for Health is a laudable one. The event is not meant for active sports members but those who are not actively involved in sports; we are looking forward for many Permanent Secretaries, Ministers, and Managing Directors to come and participate in this great day,” he concluded.

by Baboucarr Camara

The Gambia Football Federation has thrown out Real de Banjul’s appeal against Gambia Ports Authority, whom they claimed have fielded an ineligible player in the two sides’ goalless draw last weekend.

The Federation said after a thorough scrutiny of all the relevant documents, it was found that Gregory Sambou, the payer in question, got yellow cards against Gamtel, Gambia Armed Forces and Brikama United respectively but was eligible to play against Real.

“After receiving yellow cards as per the above, he did not play in their subsequent match against Bombada thus serving the suspension. Therefore Mr. Gregory Sambou in line with the GFF regulation is qualified player. In light of the above development, the protest did not stand,” the Federation said.

by Samba Jawo

The final of the Managing Director’s football trophy of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWCE) will be held today between Technician and the Admin Departments at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium.

Eight teams participated in the annual football tournament. The aim of the competition, according to organisers is to bring unity among staff of the company and as well help in scouting players that can represent them at national football events.

Speaking in an Observer Sports interview ahead of the final, Lamin Singhateh the President of the NAWEC Sports Committee said the competition brought together all the company’s staffs across the length and breadth of the country. He described this year’s tournament as an extraordinary success despite the challenges faced.

“We always sit after every match to review it and it has not been an easy thing but what is important at the end of the day is to achieve success,” he told the Observer.

Bai Saring Colley the Secretary to the Committee said the purpose of the tournament is to bring the NAWEC staff under one umbrella. “So we deem it fitting and necessary to organise such a tournament so that those staffs in the provinces and here can mingle together and know each other. This tournament will also bring the spirit of camaraderie between the junior and the senior cadre,” he said.

by Baboucarr Camara

Gambian champions Gamtel will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit when they host Moroccan title holders Olympique Club de Khouribga in the second leg of the African Champions League preliminary rounds on Saturday.

A 1-0 win for Tapha Manneh’s charges will see them through to the next round of the competition otherwise if the Moroccans score in Banjul, then they will have to win by a scoreline of more than one goal margin or would be knocked out of the competition. The game is at the Independence Stadium.

Khouribga, making their second appearance in the premier continental club championship after their maiden and only outing in 2009, recovered from a missed penalty to come from 1-0 down and beat Gamtel in Marrakech two weeks ago.

Modou Sarr shot the visitors into the lead after 24 minutes before a spirited second half performance saw the host level a minute after the break through Ibrahim Bezghoudi. The home side missed a penalty on 64 minutes by Otmane El Assas before Rachid Tiberkanine scored the winner ten minutes later.

Khouribga won the penalty which replays showed goalkeeper Baka Ceesay clearly making contact with the ball before the player stumbled to grown. Ceesay composed himself despite the setback and saved the kick with his legs.