The 2016 Super Nawettan sponsors FIBank on Wednesday presented jerseys to the finalists of this year’s competition.

The presentation, which was held at the FIBank main office, was graced by the managing director of the Bank, members of the Super Nawettan Organising Committee (SOC) and representatives from the finalists, Banjul and Gunjur.

Speaking at the occasion, Momodou Faal the secretary general of SOC thanked the sponsors for their tireless efforts in promoting sports in the country, especially football. He stated that the sponsors have always been there for them since the beginning of the competition, giving out money up to D100, 000 as preparation fees.

The managing director of FIBank, Pa Ousman Njie said that the sponsorship is all about reaching out to their customers. He disclosed that the Bank is going to award prizes to the best goalkeeper, the leading goal scorer, the player of the tournament and the best defender. “I wish to welcome you next year also for the same tournament; on that note, I thank you all,” he concluded.

Ebrima Jammeh, the manager of Gunjur zonal team thanked the Bank and the SOC for their efforts, while his counterpart from Banjul Ndongo Camara said they are excited by the financial support coming from the Bank.

by Binta Bah and Fatou Trawally

Banjul on Tuesday reached its first final in the Super Nawettan competition in six years following a post-match penalty shootout defeat of record winners Serrekunda East on Tuesday.

Regulation time ended in a goalless stalemate and the City Boys prevailed 5-4 in a pulsating post-match shootout. The game at the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium was the second meeting between these two teams following their dull goalless stalemate earlier in the group stages of the competition.

Banjul will now face first ever finalists Gunjur on Friday at the Independence Stadium and the two teams have also won themselves a place in the Golden Jubilee football competition of Real de Banjul.

Speaking in a post-match interview, the Banjul Coach Alieu Jagne expressed delight that they are back in the finals for the first time since 2010. He added that his young team has the potential to give any opponent a run for their money on their day.

“Some of the players are young and were playing under pressure for the fact that Banjul had not played in the final since 2010,” he said, expressing hope that the win over Serrekunda East will finally put away those pressures.

For his part, the Serrekunda East Coach Lamin Dugal Jammeh expressed sadness in losing the game. He claimed that his side was the better team in the game but they failed to capitalise on their chances.

by Arfang MS Camara

Fans of veteran Senegalese wrestler Yakya Diop, who goes by his wrestling sobriquet Yékini, have complained of what they described as the star’s ill-timed announcement.

Yékini, 42, who began his successful wrestling career in 1996, announced last Monday that he has quit the sport but fell short of advancing any reason for his premature retirement. He had 22 combats in his career, winning 19 of them, drawing and losing another two to Balla Gaye II and Lac de Guire.

Oumar Gueye is an upcoming wrestler based in Pèkin, Senegal. He told Observer Sports in Dakar that it is surreal to see Yékini ending his career with two humiliating defeats. “He has worked so hard to become a champion; he should have fought back to regain his championship then hit the exit door,” he noted.

Gueye added that he still looks up to Yékini for the fact that his unique style of wrestling is a way that every upcoming star should adopt. “Being humiliated by Lac and Balla doesn’t imply that he cannot do the game. He made errors in both combats which he was supposed to rectify before retiring,” he explained.

Gueye finally assured that despite everything, he’s still a loyal fan of Yékini, adding that the veteran will continue to be his role model.

Mbaye Diop, a businessman in Dakar, who is also known to be one of the biggest fans of Yékini in Senegal, highlighted the importance of Yakya in the Senegalese wrestling industry. “I am a true fan of Yékini who has too much confidence in him. I wasn’t pleased upon hearing his retirement because he has ended his career at a very bad time. A superstar of his nature shouldn’t have retired closing his file with two humiliating defeats,” he stated. He urged Yékini to come back and set a remarkable record before he can finally call it quit.

Marie Bajan, a citizen of Dakar, said Yékini was expected to have won a big combat before retiring. “Honestly, he should properly look at his decision to retire. After all the breakthroughs he had registered in wrestling, this is not the way to end his career,” she said.

According to him, despite his recent defeats by Balla and Lac, Yékini is still the king of the arena. “He has done which many have not done in wrestling, so I respect him for that and still maintain my loyalty as an everlasting fan,” she promised.

by Modou Lamin Jammeh from Dakar, Senegal

Yarambamba Football Club booked its place in the finals of the league and knockout competition of Brikama following their 3-1 defeat of Dangam FC of Busumbala in the knockout semis on Wednesday.

The Yundum-based side had already secured a place in the league final prior to this game, and following Wednesday’s success, they have now repeated the same feat of 2014 when they reached the deciding games of both competitions.

It was Dangam FC that first took the lead through Ebrima Jatta after just 12 minutes but the euphoria behind the goal was shot-lived as Alieu Gassama scored to ensure parity when he brilliantly nodded in the equaliser just six minutes after they went behind.

The academy boys then continued to push for a second goal and it arrived just six minutes shy of the break when Lamin Jarju scored. Jarju added a second in the 52nd minute to complete the comfortable win.

Yarambamba will now play either Alfama or Orlando in Sunday’s final. Alfama and Orlando were battling it out for a place in the finals at the Box Bar Mini-Stadium at the time of going to press on Thursday.

After Sunday’s encounter, Yarambamba will return to the Box Bar Mini-Stadium on November 6 for the right to be crowned champions of the Brikama when they entertain Jaliba United in the finals of the league competition.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Gunjur were on Friday crowned champions of the Super Nawettan competition for the first time in their history following a 2-1 defeat of Banjul in the finals.

It was the City Boys that took the lead after just 17 minutes through Essa Jallow but Salifu Bojang scored to ensure parity nine minutes before the break. Malang Jassey scored a last gasp penalty to complete the comeback.

Speaking in a post-match interview with reporters, Gunjur Coach Babucarr Kakai Bojang expressed delight with what he described as the brilliant performance of his players. He also expressed a sense of fulfillment that he was able to deliver the promise he made to land Gunjur its first title in the competition when he was appointed for the job.

He went on to say that when Banjul scored its early goal, he told his players to calm down and maintain their rhythm, noting that as a result they were able to respond before the end of the first half.

by Jainaba D. Jatta

The assistant coach of Sukuta Haruna Bojang has commended his players for their heroic performance in the post-match penalty shoot-out defeat by Serekunda East.

Bojang was speaking in a post-match interview with reporters in the third and fourth place playoff matches in the Super Nawettan competition which saw regulation time ending in a stalemate.

“My aim and ambition was to come and win the game. The head coach was not around today and that was why I took charge but my intention was to defeat Serekunda East because on our first game [in the group stages] they defeated us 3-1, which was very harsh but it’s unfortunate that luck was not on our side; Serekunda East deserved to win, they had nothing to lose,” Bojang said.

“Our committee members said that they want to register the team in the third division qualifier so if we go back we will train hard for that.”

For his part, Lamin Dugal Jammeh, the Serekunda East coach, said: “We needed to give the fans something in return and that was what we did. The team has young players out of which 13 sustained injuries and only 17 players were fit. We tried very hard to win in regulation time but we ended up on penalties; we also thank all the fans and other people who were supporting us.”

by Fatou Gassama

& Binta Jammeh

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Friday announced it would waive the annual registration fees worth D1.46million for league clubs in the upcoming season.

The big hearted proposal was disclosed at the Federation’s first management meeting with club stakeholders ahead of the new football season at the Friendship Hostel at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

This pre-season meeting was initially planned for Saturday 29th October but was later changed to Friday the 28th, due to the usual end of month ‘Set Settal’. The meeting was chaired by the GFF President Lamin Kabba Bajo in his capacity as both the national football federation’s president and as the chair of the league’s organising committee. Also present was the GFF’s second vice president, Mr. Ebou Faye as the one responsible for the running of competitions. The other attendees included most of the club presidents, secretaries general, other club representatives and members of the media.

The meeting was scheduled to review the past league season, and also to look ahead on the forthcoming season, the 2016/17 season.

One of the many appealing proposals revealed by GFF president, Lamin Kabba Bajo during his speech was the unanimous decision to waive registration fees worth over a million dalasis for clubs in the upcoming league season, news which was met with a rapturous applause from the football stakeholders.

Mr. Bajo also added that they’ve ‘agreed to extend preparation support to all the clubs in the league, support all the designated playing grounds, all the regional associations and allied associations. The GFF president also revealed that the executive committee is as well looking at modalities to offer further assistance to the league clubs in the areas of mobility and transportation to and from the football grounds.

Others to benefit from the Federation’s cash windfall were the various regional football associations, who will each receive a D50,000 handout from the GFF coffers as support for their respective regions.

The two football clubs representing the country in next season’s CAF club championships: the last season league winners, The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the FA Cup winners Brikama United, will also receive GFF’s support in their match indemnities, airfares and accommodations during home matches.

Bakary K. Jammeh, a member of the GFF executive committee also reminded stakeholders about the Federation’s four-year strategic development plan, which according to him encompasses a holistic development agenda, amongst which is the support to league clubs, grounds and other relevant structures.

Jammeh also noted that all these supports are only made possible because of the increase in the FIFA funding; hence the GFF is dependent on the support from the world football governing body. He added that FIFA has put together all the finances in one segment under ‘strict conditions’.

He further revealed that The Gambia is one of two countries in Africa that is being acclaimed by FIFA to have succeeded in assessing the said fund. “The FIFA Assistance Programme is to meet conditions and unless a country fulfills such, no monies would be disbursed to your Association,” he said.

The GFF second Vice President Ebou Faye also told the gathering that the GFF has a strategic vision for the country’s national league and according to him one of the plans is to increase the quality and competition of the leagues and to further increase the playing time of players.

“We want as part of our strategic vision of national league to produce more quality players and to further enable our players to take part in international football or club engagements,” said Mr Faye, before further disclosing that a new dimension in league division two would be tested this season by introducing a playoff for second, third, fourth and fifth place teams to engage in an elimination round for the winner joining the second division champion in the top flight.

“By next season 2017/18, our plan is to increase league division one teams to 14 while division two will also be increased to 16,” he concluded.

The 2016/17 division two league will kick off on the 9th November while the division one league commences on the 19th November.

Reacting to the latest developments from Football House, Lamin Jassey, a former administrative secretary of the GFF described the announcements are unprecedented and very much welcomed, noting that if implemented they will undoubtedly improve our football with less burdens on the clubs.

“We thank the GFF for the foresight and the hard work they put in to access FIFA funds which are now under strict control. We also urge the clubs to capitalise on this opportunity to strengthen their base and to administer their affairs in accordance with international standards,” Jassey said.

“I must also register my heartfelt delight to the GFF President Lamin Kabba Bajo, for the pledge to allocate D50,000 to each of the 7 regional football association in the country, and the appointments of regional administrators and regional coaches in all the 7 regions in the country. This will enhance the decentralisation drive the Federation has embarked on since Kabba took over as head of country’s football governing body.”

Jassey further stated that infrastructural development is a sin quantum in the development of football, noting that without proper fields and training facilities the development of our beautiful game would be deterred.

“We welcome the proposal to develop all the grounds in the region and the Greater Banjul Area. Finally, I say a big congratulation to President Lamin Kabba Bajo and his entire team on taking this direction.”

Source: GFF.gm

Additional source: Lamin Jassey

The football tournament of Real @ 50, a celebration of Real de Banjul Football Club’s fifty years existence,  got underway on Saturday with the hosts playing an entertaining goalless draw with Olympique de Ngor in the fourth and final matches of the day at the Independence Stadium.

The celebration kicked off at 3pm with an academy football match between Real de Banjul Football Academy and Sanchaba Sulay Jobe Football Academy, with the former securing a 2-0 win.

The senior competition kicked off at 4pm when Wallidan and Guediawaye got action in Group B underway. The Senegalese side won 2-0. Ilo Ka opened the scoring after 25 minutes before Chutah Kana ensured all three points with a 51st minute effort.

In the third game of the day, Sukuta defeated Serrekunda East 2-0. The two sides had replaced Generation Foot and Horoya AC in the competition.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Sports, the president of Real de Banjul, William Abraham, expressed delight at the tournament. He described the competition as a very big tournament, noting that it is the first of its kind not only in the country but in many African countries as well.

He thanked their sponsors and the general public for the support given to them as part of their preparations. “If we do well and if the attendances are good, we hope to have such events every year because it is also good for the country. People want to watch international football and us at Real de Banjul we are working for the development of football in the country,” he said.

“At the moment a lot of clubs in Senegal are following our players but right now we are not targeting the Senegalese league as we are working on something in which the people will see few of our players leave the country but certainly not Senegal.”

by Arfang MS Camara & Fatou Trawally

The president of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) and the general manager of First International Bank have both expressed their satisfaction at the successful completion of this year’s Super Nawettan competition.

The duo was speaking to the Daily Observer in a post-match interview at the Independence Stadium on Friday following Gunjur’s 2-1 come from behind defeat of Banjul in the finals.

Lamin Kaba Bajo expressed his delight with what he called the excellent participation of all 12 teams, noting that this year’s tournament is highly contested. He added that the tournament was contested and well attended, saying that the only downside of it was the unnecessary rise of tension and violence.

“This is football and we cannot stop some agitations but there is no space for violence in sports,” he said, adding that the spirit showed in the Super Nawettan is the same spirit needed to develop Gambian football.

The GFF supremo added that the decision to bar first division players from participating in the competition will give youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents. “We will like to continue with the initiative so as to give more chances to the young players.”

Representing the management of FIBank, Beneatte Edeh, the general manager of Legal and Corporate Resources, expressed delight at the tournament. He added that their decision to sponsor the competition is geared towards complementing the efforts of The Gambia government in supporting sports.

“At FIBank, we believe that sport is very vital in the life of every country; this is why we thought it wise to contribute our quota as part of our corporate social responsibility. The Bank is very happy with its contribution in this regard and from what we’ve seen since the start of the tournament we have been so impressed about the competition and the performance of the teams and players.”

The general manager added that FIBank has signed a three-year MoU with The Gambia Football Federation to sponsor the Super Nawettan, noting that they will honour their commitment.

by Arfang MS Camara

The twelve-team football tournament sponsored by First International Bank came to a close in the most thrilling and dramatic fashion at the national stadium in Banjul on Friday night.

Gunjur defied the odds  and live up to their pre-tournament billing to win by force with drive, passion and administrative support from the sponsors and the larger community to pull off one of the king-size surprises  in the history of the Super Nawettan championship and by  extension the Gambian football fraternity in general.

After having negotiated their way past a tough group, Gunjur again punched above their weight when they dumped heavyweights Brikama in the quarterfinals and later saw off the challenge from Sukuta to reach the finals.

With large pool of talents, impactful and imposing and sometimes intimidating fans club, Gunjur emerged as powerful force through hard work, team spirit and above all fighting for each other through the championship.

Buoyed by their super seriousness, youthful exuberance and left-wing approach, Gunjur’s charm and patience made life difficult for Banjul, a team known for their technical and tactical superiority, but were occasionally blindsided by the marauding Gunjurians.

An early goal from the City Boys was a breath of life into the game but the long range strike by Salifu Bojang of Gunjur few minutes before the end of first half served as a notice to the Banjulians that Gunjur is a serious emerging powerhouse in community football and their partnership and readiness to fight for each other remained on course and core to their success.

Despite the colourful and playful second half moves by the City Boys, the southerners with their eyes set on the ultimate prize were comforted by the appearance of imminent citizens of the coastal town which included Seyfo Sheriffo Janneh as the cheerleader-in-chief and the good luck charm of Gunjur. Such a high portfolio presence by the local authority was motivational and encouraging and has a positive and memorable impact on the overall outcome of the match; thus, confirming the saying that “football is a school for life” and it is therefore, a collective responsibility and a patriotic duty to ensure a progressive growth of the game by all and sundry.

The reassuring and outstanding performances of both teams came to light in the second half but Gunjur made swift head way midway through the second period and their hard work and perseverance paid off and rewarded with a penalty that was converted by Malang Jassey with only three minutes remaining.

At the close of business at the Independence Stadium, the fans were justifiably overwhelmed with joy and stormed the main bowl of the stadium to celebrate their hard work and patronising partnership that has played extraordinary and transformative role in reaching the finals.

By being a focused team and the new luxury champions of 2016 community football jamboree, Gunjur are without doubt the new kids on the block and their victory is both academical and sporting which was borne out of years of strategic planning, wise counseling and perfect execution.

The victory did not only represent a change of guard but it has also brought an end to the dominance of the so-called big boys of the Super Nawettan competition.

Let me through this medium congratulate you, our distant cousins from the fool’s paradise on your outstanding performance and your monumental victory. The 23 years wait is finally over. This is your finest hour and please enjoy to the maximum.

by Abdou Salaam Jammeh

The executive committee of The Gambia Volleyball Federation (GVBF)  has banned for life Pa Sanu Secka of Gamtel volleyball club following what the committee described as a gross misconduct by the player on August 22nd 2016 in a game against Serekunda East in Banjul.

The former Gambian international, according to the committee, physically assaulted assistant referee Ebrima Ndow, disrupted the game and destroyed the Federation’s scoreboard.

“This bad behaviour and absolute indiscipline is totally against the rules and regulations of the Federation, as mentioned in article 14 of the rules which states: Any team or individual that is being caught using abusive language or physically assaulting referee, match commissioner, organising committee or the executive committee of the Gambia Volleyball Federation will be dealt with by the organising committee and the decision will be final and any player or officer who is suspended will not participate in all the activities of The Gambia Volleyball Federation, during his or her suspension period and will be excluded from national duty,” a statement from the Federation said.

“Therefore the national league organising committee and the executive committee had come to a final conclusion to ban Pa Sanu Secka of Gamtel volleyball club from all activities of the Gambia Volleyball Federation both national and international for life, and any volleyball activity organised or that involves the national Federation. Sanu Secka will not play, he is not  allowed at venues where the volleyball Federation is holding their activities. In this regard the GVBF had copied the National Sports Council, the Inspector General of Police and Managing Director of Gamtel/Gamcel.”

The committee added: “It is unbearable, unprofessional and unacceptable. The Gambia Volleyball Federation will impose tough sanctions on individuals and clubs that go contrary to its rules and regulations and against the best interest of the game. All players, officials and clubs are therefore encouraged to abide by the rules and regulations to ensure standards in our beautiful game”.

Real de Banjul on Monday defeated the Mauritanian side FC Nouadhibou 2-0 in their second group stage game in the Real de Banjul @ 50 international football competition at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Real, who played a goalless stalemate in their opening game with Olympique de Ngor, opened the scoring just 10 minutes after the break courtesy of substitute Pa Omar Jobe. The Gambia U-20 attacker made sure of the three points 10 minutes before the end to book the hosts a place in the knockout stages of the 12-team competition with four points.

Real should have been joined in the last eight by Olympique de Ngor who had secured similar points by defeating the Mauritanian side in their second game. Instead, FC Nouadhibou, despite losing both games, replaced them in the competition after the Senegalese side had returned home to prepare for the new Senegalese league season which kicks off this weekend.

In the other games played on Monday, Casa Sport defeated Guediawaye 1-0 in the Senegalese derby. Alioune Badji scored the only goal of the game.

Elsewhere, ASC Linguere lost 1-0 to Niarry with former Wallidan player Modou Lamin Manneh securing the winner with a 10th minute strike.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Real de Banjul Coach Franky Van De Velde expressed delight at the win. He also expressed their desire to win the competition.

“Sometimes selecting players in the team gives me headache because I have over 25 fantastic players in which I need to select only eleven,” he added.

Samba Gueye, technical director of Nouadhibou FC, expressed delight to be part of Real de Banjul’s 50-year anniversary tournament. “Our loss today against the host team is not important because we are very happy to be part of the event,” he added.

According to him, they brought their second team to the tournament which he said is made up of young players because their league is ongoing. He noted that this international tournament will help the young players to learn and gain experience.

“The reason for bringing our young players is we cannot afford to miss such a wonderful initiative by Real de Banjul and our first team is playing a championship at home and we played our first game and won 5-0 on Saturday.”

by Arfang MS Camara

Brikama Team A on Saturday, 22nd October played Ebbeh-Gi at the July 22nd Square Cricket ground in Banjul. Brikama Team A won the toss and batted in the first innings and scored 208 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs. Bubacarr Kuyateh batted and scored 79 runs the highest for them. Bubacarr Kuyateh bowled 4 overs and took 3 wickets for 3 runs.

Ebbeh-Gi batted in the second innings and could only scored 38 runs for 10 wickets in 13 overs. Sulayman Bah batted and scored 5 runs the highest for them. Kebba Sanneh bowled and took 2 wickets for 49 runs in 4 overs bowled. Brikama Team A won by 170 Runs.

In another game, Gambia Ports Authority played Development Team on Sunday, 23rd October 2016 at the July 22nd Cricket grounds in Banjul. Development Team won the toss and batted in the first innings and scored 31 runs for 10 wickets in 9 overs. Bai Cherno Nyang batted and scored 16 runs the highest for them. Ousainou Ndow bowled 2 overs and took 2 wickets for 7 runs.

Gambia Ports Authority batted in the second innings and Scored 32 runs for 4 wickets in 5 overs. Ousman Touray batted and scored 10 runs the highest for them. Ousman Touray bowled and took 2 wickets and no runs in 2 balls bowled. Gambia Ports Authority won by 7 wickets.

Last Saturday, 29th October 2016,  Teachers played Wallidan at the July 22nd Square Cricket grounds in Banjul. Wallidan won the toss and allowed Teachers to batted in the first innings and scored 42 runs for 10 wickets in 10 overs Dominic Mendy batted and scored 8 runs the highest for them. Wallidan batted in the second innings and scored 46 runs in 3 overs. George Greywoode and Andreh Jarju batted and scored 32runs each. Wilfred Riley bowled and took 5 wickets for 10 runs in 2 overs bowled. Wallidan won by 11 wickets.

Schools League about to start

The schools league for both boys and girls is about to kick start and the coaches are going round coaching schools and helping them to get ready for the tournament matches, which will be played at the July 22nd Square cricket ground from Monday to Friday starting at 10.00am.

Award Ceremony

The 2016 / 2017 Cricket league has come to an end and Gambia Ports Authority are the winners of the league tournament, Wallidan finishes as the runners- up. The Association would be presenting trophies to these teams on Sunday 6th November 2016 after the memorial match, which will be played on that day in memory of a late cricketer FabakaryDampha known as Fabs. The match will be played at the July 22nd Square Cricket ground starting at 11.00am.

Source: Gambia Cricket Association

Senegalese first division side Niarry Tally on Tuesday night defeated the Banjul Super Nawettan team 3-0 in their encounter in the ongoing Real de Banjul @ 50 international football tournament played at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Striker Abdoulie Sowe of Niarry Tally became the hero in the game after scoring a hat-trick during the game.

The Niarry Tally lost to fellow Senegalese side ASC Linguere 1-0 before securing a convincing win over Banjul Zonal side, which is now out of the tournament.

Niarry Tally FC has now made it through to the next round of the tournament after registering three points in two games.

In the previous games played earlier on Tuesday, Casa Sport defeated Wallidan 2-1 in their second game of the competition as Serrekunda East Zonal Teal won 2016 Zonal champions Gunjur by 2-1.

Gabriel Sylva opened the scoring for the Serekunda East side after 23rd minute of play, before Modou Lamin Jatta extend the score line in the 52nd minute. Malang Jassey scored the consolation goal for the Super Nawettan champions Gunjur after converting a penalty in the 77th minute.

by Binta Bah & Fatou Trawally

Hosts Real de Banjul was knocked out of their international football competition following a post-match penalty shootout defeat to the Serekunda East Zonal team on Wednesday.

Following a goalless stalemate at the end of regulation time, Serekunda East prevailed 4-3 in a post-match shootout at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. Serekunda East is now through to the semifinals where they will Sukuta today for a place in the finals.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Saikou Manjang one of the assistant coaches of Real de Banjul expressed dissatisfaction with the result. The team, he told this medium was well prepared for the game.

Lamin Jammeh the coach of Serekunda East lauded his players for playing as instructed. He admitted that Real is a good side.

by Jainaba D Jatta

Serekunda East Zonal team’s reward for knocking Real de Banjul out in the quarterfinal stages of the international football competition is a semifinal date with Sukuta at the Independence Stadium today.

Sukuta, semifinalists in the recently concluded Super Nawettan competition, defeated FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania in the same stage of the competition on Wednesday night.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides in this tournament. Sukuta had comfortably defeated Serekunda East 2-0 in the opening game of the competition on Saturday. The two sides also locked horns in the third and fourth place playoff game in the Super Nawettan where Serekunda East prevailed on penalties.

Lamin Dugal Jammeh the Serekunda East coach hailed Real de Banjul for organising the 12-team international football competition in commemoration of their 50th year anniversary. The tournament, he added has availed youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents to possible scouts and a wider audience.

by Arfang MS Camara

The 24 National Sports Associations in the country will tomorrow (Saturday) elect a new executive that will steer the affairs of The Gambia National Olympic Committee for another four years.

The elective congress will be held at the National Olympic House along the Bertil Herding Highway at 3pm.

Former Gambia Football Association third vice president and ex-National Sports Council chairman Lamin King Colley, Pa Alieu Jallow, president of The Gambia Boxing Association, and Dodou Capi Joof, president of The Gambia Athletics Association are contesting the presidential seat.

The trio has been busy in the past few weeks canvassing support and votes of the sporting associations.

by Alieu Ceesay

Central FC was on Saturday crowned champions of the Farato Bojang Kunda Youth tournament following a 3-2 post-match penalty win over closest neighbours Black Stars FC.

Played in Farato, the final attracted an overwhelming turnout including young and old, men and women who turned out to cheer their teams.

Winners Central FC pocketed home D2000 with a giant trophy, while Black Stars received D1000 as a consolation prize.

Ansumana Sawo was voted as the most valuable player of the tournament and won the “top goal scorer” award.

Speaking to Observer Sports after the game, Alagie Bakary Sanneh, member of the Council of Elders praised the organising committee for a successfully tournament.

Mr Musa Bah, a senior member of the organising committee thanked the teams, players and fans for making the tournament successful.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Jaliba FC on Sunday defeated Yarambamba 1-0 to be crowned champions of the 2016 Brikama Nawettan league in a final played on Sunday at the Box Bar Mini-Stadium. Alieu Jammeh scored the game’s only goal.

The Nyambai-based team also saw its player Alieu Jammeh won the “best player of the nawettan” award, “the player of the final” award went to Lamin Kandeh, while the “top goal scorer of the tournament” award was also won by Alieu Jammeh and “the best fans club” award also went to Jaliba.

Yarambamba who lost two finals in 2014 made a replica of their misery by loosing both the knockout (against Orlando last week) and to Jaliba in the league final.

In a post match interview with Observer Sports, Jaliba’s gaffer Foday Jaiteh said, “It was hard work and determination that earned us the trophy for the first time in our history.”

Ousman Fadera of Yarambamba took the defeat in good faith.

As winners, Jaliba FC went home with a giant trophy and a cash prize of D50, 000; whilst Yarambamba pocketed home a consolation prize of D40,000.

by Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

National Sports Associations have elected Mr Dodou Capy Joof, president of the country’s Athletic Association as the President of The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) during an elective congress on Saturday.

Joof received 21 votes, more than 50 percent of the votes ahead of Lamin King Colley who had 11 votes and Pa Alieu Jallow with 8 votes.

The new executive will steer the affairs of the national Olympic Committee for the next four years. Other executive members of the new body comprised International Olympic Committee Member Beatrice Allen as 1st Vice President, Gambia Football Federation President Lamin Kaba Bajo as 2nd Vice President, Abdoulie Jallow as Secretary General.

The position of Treasurer went to Ousman Abou Wadda, while Olympic Sports Representative members in the committee are David Haffna, Bai Dodou Jallow, Anthony Tabbal and Adama Jammeh.

Speaking at the congress, the executive director of the National Sports Council, Mr Marcel Mendy said the Council as the body responsible to control, supervise, monitor and regulate all sports and sports bodies in the country strongly encourages all members and associations to cultivate and maintain high levels of good governance in their operations.

“As a matter of fact, the NSC has observed with grave concern that in some instances, some bodies, groups of people gang up against others irrespective of how well the latter does simply because they believe in a different approach to development and/or because they belong to the so-called different camps,” Mendy told the congress.

The outgoing GNOC president, Alhaji Momdou Dibba congratulated his successor and called on all sports associations to give maximum support to the new executive committee.

The newly elected president, Dodou Capi Joof urged stakeholders to put aside their difference and work together for the development of sports in the country.

Now that the election is over, Gambians are closely looking for the positive difference that the newly elected body will bring to the country’s sports.

by Arfang MS Camara