The nominees for the different categories for the seventh National Sports Award Night and Gala, organised by the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG), were Monday morning officially unveiled by the event’s organising committee.
Speaking at a press briefing, where the nominees were revealed, Musa Sise, President of the SJAG, underscored the importance of the event, which he said has earned recognition and respect from the general public.
He informed the press that the event is expected to be graced by prominent sports and non-sports personalities.
“The event is taking place next Friday at the Djembeh Hotel, formerly Jerma, starting at 8pm. We§§§§§ § are urging those given invitation to be there on time. We are also encouraging institutions that want to buy tables to come forward and do so,” he said.
Sise thanked those institutions that have come on board to partner with SJAG for the event.
The various categories
WBC Super middleweight champion Boxer Badou Jack is the only candidate for the Sports Personality of the Year. This category, which is usually determined by the organisers went to FIFA referee Bakary Papa Gassama last year.
The nominees for the Local-based Athlete of the Year Award are Gamtel’s Yahya Ndong, Real de Banjul’s Abdoulie Jallow and athlete Adama Jammeh.
The Foreign-based Athletes are: Pa Modou Jagne of Sion FC in Switzerland, Baboucarr Steve Trawally of Yanbian in China and Judoka Faye Njie in Finland.
Mawdo Jallow, Sheriff Njie and Isatou Touray are contesting for the Best Referee Award.
The nominees for the Best Coach Award are Tapha Manneh of Gamtel, Abdoulie Ngum of Serrekunda West Basketball Team, and Jane Joof of Samger. The Best Team Award saw the nomination of Gamtel, Serrekunda West Basketball Team and Samger.
For the first time, a Best Local-based Female Athlete has been included in the awards category. Adama Tamba of Red Scorpions, athlete Gina Bass, Interior’s Isatou Jallow (Basse) and Mbassy Darboe are the nominees for this category.
The nominees for the Institution in Support of Sports Award are: MGI, First Eco Partners, and Bayba Financial Services. The winners will be announced on Friday during the event.
The night will also witness the awarding of certificates to legendary sports personalities that had and presently doing well in the development of sports in the country.
by Alieu Ceesay
