After the successful completion of the community’s 2016 summer football tournament, better known as Nawettan, the annual Bakau Miss Nawettan is happening this Saturday night at the Friendship Hostel in Bakau.

In what promises to be a glamorous night, this year’s event, is jointly organised by the Bakau Sports Committee, Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) and Emid Promotion.

The event like it is in the past years, is going to attract huge number of people who will turn up to cheer their contestants representing their local Nawettan sides in Bakau.

The contestants are currently having their rehearsals at the Alliance Franco along Kairaba Avenue, as the organisers work towards making the final touches for this much-anticipated night.

The SJAG is also partnering with the Super Nawettan Organising Committee to stage the first-ever Miss Super Nawettan later this month.

by Fatou Trawally

The Treasurer of The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) Alh. Ousman Abou Wadda has completed the International Olympic Committee, Executive Master in Sports Organisation Management (MEMOS) course.

MEMOS is an executive masters in Sports management offered by a network of universities. The program is conducted for a period of one year and consists of six modules focusing on a specific facet of sport management.

The key element of the course is to develop a project aiming to improve an aspect of management of the participant’s organization. Each student is assisted in this Endeavour by an assigned tutor with whom he or she remains in contact throughout the year. The course concludes with a project defence in front of MEMOS examining boards, followed by a public presentation of successful projects.

Mr. Wadda, who is the Chairman of Technical Committee and Board member of the Islamic Solidarity Sport Federation (ISSF), has added another accolade in his rich academy qualification.

The MEMOS certificate was presented to him in Lausanne recently after defending his project in front of 12 University Sports Science lectures at the IOC Museum.

The GNOC Treasurer received his certificate from the Deputy Director of IOC Mr. Pere Miro.

Reacting to his success, he said as a MEMO’S graduate, he is expected to give back to the NOC and sport by developing and implementing a project aiming to improve an aspect of management of National Sport Organisations that would be beneficial to sports development.

Mr. Wadda thanked the management and staff of GNOC especially the IOC Member BEATRICE Allen for their support during the one year programme.

He extended special appreciation and thanks to His Excellency the president of the Republic Sheikh Prof. Dr.Yahya A.J.J.Jammeh, Babili Mansa for the enabling environment. Also to the Managing Director of Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) Mr. Lamin Sanyang and his management team for their unflinching support in achieving such and being the first Gambian to achieve this precious Certificate.

Source: Namory Trawally, GNOC

The 6th edition of the annual Farafenni Marathon took place in the cosmopolitan town of Farafenni on Saturday, in which hundreds of people among them residents of the twon, its immediate neighbours and a cross section of local dignitaries attended.

The events were, 15km bicycle race, 10km men race and 5km women race.

Long distance runner Sonna Saho maintained her crown after winning the 5km race and went home with D5000.

Samba Bah won the 10km and received D5000, while Sarjo Ceesay grabbed the bicycle race prize of D5000.

There were prizes for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions in all catagories with D4000 D3000 D2000 and D1000 respectively.

by Fatou Trawally

Real de Banjul will open its 2016 Guédiawaye tournament account against Senegalese league winners Union Sportive Gorée on Friday at the 5000-capacity Stade Amadou Barry.

The tournament, which will take place from the 7-9 October 2016 is organized by Guédiawaye FC, with Real taking part alongside ASAC Concorde of Mauritania and US Gorée of Senegal.

Real de Banjul will kick off their match in the first semi-final on Friday at 3pm before the hosts play Mauritania’s ASAC Concorde at 5pm.

The third place will be played the following day before the final, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 9, at 5pm.

Union Sportive Gorée is four-time Senegalese Premier League champions and have also won four cup titles. The club, founded in 1933, won the first French West African Cup title in 1947 and their very last in 1955.

This will be the second time that Real de Banjul is participating in this competition after taking part in the third edition organized two years ago.

Source: RealdeBanjul.com

The demise of former Gambia U-17 Coach and Ghanaian-born Fred Osam Duodu has been announced on Tuesday in Ghana following a brief illness, aged 78.

The late Duodu was the first coach to have guided The Gambia to its first continental title when the U-17 team hosted and won the African Cup in Banjul in 2005.

Described by many as the most successful football manager to have coached a national team side, Osam wasl led the same team to the 2005 World Cup in Peru but was knocked out in the group stages on goal difference despite 3-1 wins over Brazil and Qatar. He resigned shortly after that campaign.

Osam Duodou was Coach of Ghana at the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations and won the tournament with the Black Stars.

The late Osam Duodou had a series of accolades with his native Ghana winning the 1993 African U-20 Cup of Nations and a silver medal at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship. He coached Ghana at the 2002 African Cup of Nations held in Mali.

“The Gambia Football Federation is sad about the passing away news of a dynamic football technician and a friend of Gambian football. The GFF prays for Osam’s soul to rest in perfect peace,” the GFF wrote on its website.

Former U-17 midfielder Ebrima Sohna, who played under the late coach said Osam Duodu was a good person and who respected everyone. “For me he put in to me a lot, not only how to play football and outside of football. He do that to every footballer in the U-17. If you have problem at home he is always ready to talk to you and help you out. He is one of the coaches I will never forget. May his soul rest in peace,” Sohna who now ply his trade in Kuwait told Observer Sports yesterday following news of Duodu’s passing on.

“My heart is bleeding but my prayers will always be with you. A great coach, father and friend to me,” former U-17 player Ous Koli added.

Koli went on to describe his late coach as a great person and a coach who made a difference in his life and all his mates during their U-17 era, and taught them well. “He made me believe and trust in myself, I learnt a lot from him,” he said while praying for his soul to rest in perfect peace.

Modou Ceesay, a football fan said: “Rest in peace Osam. The wonderful memories you have given the Gambian populace will never be forgotten.”

George Gomez, former President of The Gambia Football Association and ex-Executive Director of The Gambia National Olympic Committee described Coach Osam Duodu as a great man who transformed football in the country and put The Gambia on the world football map.

“My sympathy to the President of the GFF and acclaim his action to send a letter of condolence to his colleague the President of the GFA in Ghana. He will forever be remembered in the history of Gambian history,” he posted on Facebook.

Baba S Touray also posted on his Facebook Timeline: “So sad Osam Duodou has gone!  He will surely be missed and will forever be remembered in the history of Gambian football for his legacy. Rest in eternal peace!”

Former coach, now National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Hon. Alhagie Sillah said the late Duodu was a real professional in his work, praying that his soul rest in peace.

He described him as a good man who was very committed and passionate about his work.

by Alieu Ceesay

After their disappointing displayed in the last year’s tournament, the Lamin Super Nawettan football team, is highly preparing ahead of their opening game against the Barra, Essau and Mayamba joint team (BEM) who eliminated them during the knockout stage of the last year’s tournament.

Lamin will face BEM on Sunday in Group A at the Serekunda East Mini-Stadium.

Lamin will continue with their last year’s head coach Sang Mendy who guided the team with four wins before been eliminated by BEM in last year’s tournament.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports on their preparations for the tournament, the Secretary General of Lamin Sports Committee, Modou Bah disclosed that their preparation is on the high side as they are aiming for a place in the final in this year’s FIBank Sponsored competition.

“This year we are eyeing for the trophy because everybody in Lamin is behind us, the only thing we need is the maximum support of Lamin people most especially the fan base, let them always come out in large numbers whenever the team is playing and cheer up the boys.” SG Bah noted.

by Binta Jammeh & Binta Bah

Yarammamba Football Academy on Wednesday eliminated Greater Tomorrow in the semifinal of the League Competition on a 6-5 post-match penalty shoot-out win to face the winner of the other semifinal match between Fortune Fc and Jaliba fc in the final.

The two teams battled it out in the Knockout competition quarterfinal stage before they face each other in the League semis.

At the crowded Box Bar mini-stadium, the two Academy sides put up a fascinating show with beautiful football.

In the 19 minutes, Greater Tomorrow took the lead through Sheik Tijan Jah’s long range effort at the back of the net. The lead, however was short-lived as Yarambamba responded quickly. In the 26 minutes, Lamin Jarju ensured parity in the game with a superb tab.

It could be recalled that in 2014, Yarambamba played both the

League and the Knockout completions finals, but lost to Fortune in both finals.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The organisers of the much-talked about and anticipated 2016 Miss Bakau Nawettan are hoping for a successful event, which is taking place on Saturday 8th October 2016 at the Basketball Court, Independence Stadium in Bakau, starting at 9pm.

The coastal settlement of Bakau has successful staged its nawettan with both knockout and league finals played last weekend.

This year’s Miss Bakau Nawettan is jointly organised by the Bakau Sports Committee in collaboration with the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) and Emid Promotion.

The event, according to the organisers, will not only showcase beauty, but as well as brains and talents that the contestants are endowed with.

“We are looking forward to a successful event because everything is in place and the contestants are rehearsing very well every evening at the Alliance Franco. The tickets are D100 and D150 after midnight and we are calling on the general public to attend the event at the Basketball court in Bakau,” Lamin Nyang of Emid Promotion told Observer Sports.

Alieu Ceesay, Secretary General of the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) said his association is a professional body comprising of practicing sports journalists. “We conceived the idea to partner with the Bakau Sports Committee in organising the event to better help in raising funds for the association in order to effectively implement its activities.”

The little proceeds from the event, according to SG Ceesay, will be use in the interest of the association and its members.

Fatou Wally, a member of the organising committee said the contestants are quite ready to thrill the audience, adding that there will be musical entertainment by Mighty Joe, Team Kunda and Karafa among other artists.

by Fatou Trawally

The power struggle-entangle and defending champions Serrekunda West Zone will not participate in this year’s Super Nawettan championship, the zone’s Secretary General Sang Marie Sambou confirmed to Observer Sports yesterday.

The West Zone Sports Committee was recently banned by the KM Sports Committee, but the decision was later rescinded by the National Sports Council. The council ordered the West Committee to be allowed to complete its 2016 Nawettan which was disrupted at the semifinal stages.

“We received a letter from the office of the CEO of KMC Pa Kalifa Sanyang indicating that they are going to close the serrekunda west mini stadium with immediate effect until the matter is resolve. As a result we are withdrawing from the zonals because we don’t have any place to train for the zonal,” SG Sambou told Observer Sports.

Serrekunda West was supposed to open the championship against Brikama on Saturday in the opening game at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Many football enthusiasts and fans of Serrekunda West have condemn the crisis unfolding at the zone and the decision  by KMC to close the mini stadium.

by Alieu Ceesay

The head coach of Brikama zonal team, John Ndure has expressed optimism of wining a silverware after collecting the maximum points in their opening FIBank-sponsored Super Nawettan game against Manjai in Group A,  played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau on Saturday.

The opening game was watched by the executive of the GFF, officials of the sponsor FIBank, and fans of both zones.

Super nawettan or zonals, as it is widely called, remains the most-followed and cherished local football tournament in The Gambia.

Brikama defeated Manjai by 1-0 through Dembo Darboe’s 20th minute goal. Dembo Darboe could have extended the lead for his side after his side was awarded a penalty but failed to convert the penalty in the 63rd minute.

Alieu Jammeh of Brikama was sent-off by the central referee Isatou Touray after elbowing the Manjai midfielder in the 72nd minute.

Coach Ndure further said that collecting the maximum points in their opening of the Super Nawettan tournament was very important for them, noting that with the caliber of offensive players they  have, they can punish any opponent.

His offensive players, he went on, are all good players with a good pace.

He commended his opponent (Manjai) for their wonderful performance.

Omar Jobe, head coach of Manjai zonal team was a disappointed man at the end of the game.

According to him, Brikama dominated the entire first half because his team was not playing with urgency.

“In my  opinion, I think we played better in the second half. At the break, we rectified our mistakes from the first half.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, BEM defeated 2004 champions Lamin 1-0 in a game played at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium.

by Arfang MS Camara &

Modou Lamin Drammeh

The 2004 zonal champions Lamin were narrowly defeated 1-0 by the ‘lowly-rated’ BEM in their opening game of Group B in the ongoing 2016 Super Nawettan competition.

Played at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium on Sunday, BEM proved doubters wrong by collecting the maximum points courtesy of Yusupha Cham’s 24th minute goal. The goal sent the travelling BEM fans into wild jubilation.

Bakary Samateh of BEM missed a chance to extend the lead, thus putting more pressure on Lamin. However, Lamin could have equalised and if possible win the game if they had converted the chances they created into goals.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports, head coach of BEM zonal team, Dodou Jammeh was a happy man after securing the maximum points, something, he said is a good start for them.

According to him, his side has been preparing very well for the competition and therefore, they deserved to win the match.

Sang Mendy, the head coach of Lamin zonal team, said despite the defeat, he was confident that Lamin would go far in the competition.

By Binta Jammeh &

 Binta Bah

Bakoteh-based team Ballack FC last Friday were crowned champions of the Manjai league tournament following a 1-0 win over Starlight FC at the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda. Babucarr Thomos’ 54th minute strike decided the outcome of the game.

As winners, Ballack FC went home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of 50,000, while runners-up Starlight FC pocketed home a consolation prize of 35,000.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports shortly after the final, the head coach of Ballack FC, Sambujang Kassama expressed gratitude for winning the league trophy.

For his part, Sheriff Sawaneh, the head coach of the Starlight FC was quite disappointed with the defeat.

By Hadang Daffeh

Baboucarr Kakai Bojang, the head coach Gunjur zonal team has stressed that his side wants to win this year’s championship for the first time in the clubs history.

Bojang was speaking to Observer Sports following his side’s 2-1 win over Brufut on Monday at the Box-Bar Mini-Stadium in Brikama in their opening game of the campaign.

“I’m not surprised with the victory because we have practiced for it. This year we want to win the zonal for the first time in our history. Our slogan is Operation win the Zonal,” Mr Bojang said.

Alieu Sanneh, the Brufut gaffer, expressed his disappointment with his side’s performance, but assured that they will still achieve their target of qualifying to the knockout stages of the competition.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Bakau drew goalless with Banjul as Serrekunda East defeated last year’s runners-up Sukuta 3-1.

By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Former Gamtel Coach Tapha Manneh has signed a three-year coaching contract with Liberian Premier League side LISCR (Liberia International Shipping Cooperate Registry FC).

In an online interview with Observer Sports from his base in Liberia, Manneh, who guided Gamtel to four FA Cups and one league title, said he felt happy to be among the lucky Gambian coaches to take up coaching outside the country.

His new club, he said, won the Liberian League twice and he is hoping to register more successes with them.

“They [the club] saw me during the famous Gambia vs Liberia game [U-20] in 2014 and they were following me until this time when I finally decided. I think it’s a challenge and since I came on Friday am trying to squeeze myself into the society.”

The race for the presidency of The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) has started ahead of the November 5th Election.

According to sources gathered by Observer Sports, there are interests from individuals who are committed and ready to end Alhaji Momodou Dibba’s presidency come the election next month, November 5th.

Those who expressed interest in the GNOC top job include Lamin King Colley, chairman of National Sports Council and former executive member of Gambia Football Federation. The other two people said to be interested in the position are Dodou Capi Joof, the president of Gambia Athletic Association; and Alieu Jallow, the president of Gambia Boxing Association.

According to our source, Capi Joof is enjoying the backing of GNOC 1st vice president and IOC Member Beatrice Allen and some other allies. Lamin King Colley’s camp is expected to hold a press conference today (Monday) evening at the Gambia National Paralympic office at Kanifing Estate.

The dormant Boxing Association’s President Alieu Jallow has confidence that he is the right president for GNOC.

by Alieu Ceesay 

The head coach of Lamin zonal team, Sang Mendy is confident of better performances in the ongoing Super Nawettan competition despite a slow start.

The 2004 champions have a solitary point from two games following defeat abd a draw to BEM and Brikama respectively.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports after a 1-1 draw with Brikama on Tuesday evening at the SK East Park, Mendy expressed disappointment with the final result, but was quite satisfied with the performance of his players.

Modou Lamin Jatta scored for Lamin in the 62nd minute sending fans into wild jubilation. However, it took just two minutes later for the Sateba boys to equalise courtesy of Dembo Darboe.

“Right now nobody is putting us among the serious contenders, but we are going to surprise everybody and we will do it,” the Lamin gaffer assured.

The head coach of Brikama zonal team, Pierre Gomez whose team earned 4 points from two Group A games was happy with the result.

by Arfang MS Camara

Real de Banjul kept a 100% record to win the 2016 Guédiawaye FC invitational football tournament following a 3-0 defeat of ASAC Concorde of Mauritania on Sunday.

A brace from striker Yankuba Jarju and a lone goal from Baboucarr Camara, alias Jah Boy, ensured the City Boys lift the four-team invitational tournament without conceding a goal.

Real defeated Senegalese champions US Gorée 3-0 in the semi-final on Friday before facing off with Concorde at the 5000-capacity Stade Amadou Barry.

Jarju was voted Player of the Tournament and Leading Goal Scorer with three goals in two games.

Assistant Coach Lamin Sillah, who has maintained a 100% record since leading the team on its journey, was elated after guiding the City Boys to victory by putting up brilliant performances in both matches

“It’s the happiest day of my life after guiding the team to victory here in Guédiawaye. I give thanks to God and dedicate this victory to my players, my staff and my club executives,” Sillah told the Club’s official website.

“Credit also goes to my players for always listening to me on and off the pitch and doing what we ask them to do on the pitch. This is all geared towards the upcoming league season in The Gambia and winning the trophy here sends a big signal to other teams back home!”

Commenting on the performance of Yankuba Jarju, Coach Sillah said: “I spoke to him on several times and on Friday, he told me he’ll score [and he did]. Coming to the field on Sunday again, he told me the same [and he did it]. If only he continues working hard, he would be among the best strikers ever that The Gambia has produced.”

The team has safely returned to Banjul and has resumed training on Wednesday morning in preparation for its 50 years anniversary celebration on October 29 to November 6 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Source: Real De Banjul

The Barra, Essau and Mayamba, abbreviated as BEM, Super Nawettan team registered its second straight win of the competition on Tuesday. They defeated Serrekunda Central 1-0 in a game played at the KG5 Mini-Stadium in Banjul.

BEM opened this year’s campaign with a similar scoreline win over Lamin on Sunday and on Tuesday, Yusupha Cham’s 32nd minute strike proved the difference.

In an interview with Observer Sports after the final whistle, Dodou Jammeh the head coach of BEM attributed the early success in the championship to good preparations. He lauded his players for the brilliant performance and was hopeful that the spirit in the team will continue.

The head coach of Serrekunda Central, Abdoul Wahab Gaye said despite the defeat, he was upbeat they can progress to the knockout stages of the competition. He said SK Central is going to prove its doubters wrong.

“We are not much developed compared to other zones because they have better grounds than us; we are a new zone so it must be hard on us,” Gaye told Observer Sports.

In other games played on Tuesday, defending champions Serrekunda West defeated Manjai 1-0 at the Father Gough Sports Complex, while Lamin drew 1-1 with Brikama at the Serrekunda East.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Bakau lost to Sukuta by 2-1 at the SK East, Banjul drew goalless with  Brufut at the Father Gough Sports Complex, and SK East drew 1-1 with Gunjur at the Box Bar Mini-Stadium in Brikama.

by Binta Jammeh & Binta Bah

Miss Ya Haddy Saho, representing the 2016 knockout and league winners Luneburg FC, has been crowned the queen of the 2016 Bakau Miss Nawettan competition held last Saturday at the Basketball Court of the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The event was organised by the Bakau Sports Committee in collaboration with the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG) and Emid Promotions. It was attended by hundreds of fans.

Miss Satang Dumbuya of Kansala FC emerged first runner-up and Miss Ida Ceesay of Oslo finished second runner-up. Miss Personality went to Sainabou B Jallow of Mamakoto FC, while Oumie Minteh of Lingerr emerged as Miss Photogenic, and Sainabou Chaw of Julagerr as Miss Entertainment.

Ya Haddy Saho and Satang Dumbuya will now represent the Bakau Zone in the upcoming and first ever Miss Super Nawettan competition which SJAG and partners are planning to stage a night before the competition’s final.

Eleven contestants in total represented the Nawettan teams in Bakau. The audience were entertained with eye-catching dresses, educative platforms and performances displayed by the participants.

by Fatou Trawally

The Women Committee of The Gambia Football Federation on Thursday convened a press conference at the Football House to update the public through the members of press on the preparations on the upcoming 4th Live Your Goals Girls Festival.

The event is slated on the 21st and 22nd October in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region.

Speaking at the press conference, Sainey Sissoho, Women Football Coordinator said the event seeks to promote and develop women in football across the length and breath of the country.

According to her, the event is targeting 1000 girls (age between 6-12) from across the country. She added that there would also be an international friendly march between the Gambia Female National Team and Casa Sport Female Team.

Sissoho finally lauded the support received from the GFF executive, noting that the event is very important. “We want to use the event to see women in football is decentralised across the country,” she concluded.

Sainaobu Cham, chairperson of women football committee, expressed similar remarks.

by Jainaba D Jatta