He is well known for his public speaking by giving lessons that had inspired and continue to inspire scores of people, especially when they are faced with challenges.
Momodou Sabally, the Director General of The Gambia Radio and Television Services, who doubles as the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Observer Company, is one of this country’s most acclaimed writers. The motivational speaker, who has authored several inspirational books, used oratorical skills to inspire the players of The Gambia’s National U-20 Team ahead of their second leg qualifier at home against Sierra Leone.
Sabally, who was at the team’s training camp at the Paradise Hotel in Kololi on Friday, at the request of the team managers, used many inspiring stories to boost the morale of the players. This included psychological lessons, and from the reaction of the players, you could feel that they were at ease and his lesson raised their confidence even further.
Sabally, who gave the players a similar lesson ahead of their victory in the first leg in Sierra Leone, explained that he always draws inspiration from success stories in the world of sports. He told the young footballers that he had personally benefited from the inspiring story of the Gambia’s success at the FIFA U-17 African Championship in Banjul in 2005. He urged the players to learn from the successes of past national teams as an inspiration to get to the top. He also advised them to be supportive of one another and to avoid the ills of undue rivalry and envy in their camp. Sabally emphasized the need for the team to respect authority, in this case, their coaches.
He also challenged the players to avoid complacency and urged them to keep raising the bar as they continue to progress in their qualifying games and then the tournament slated for 2017. Sabally noted that individual brilliance can be important for the team’s success but team work is the most importantly foundation for sustained outstanding success; and therefore urged them to keep working together as a united team.
Recalling the success of the Senegalese national team in the 2002 World Cup, he told the players that if the Senegalese could defeat former World Champion’s France; and with the Gambia’s own Under 17 also defeating Brazil in 2005, then this team could bring glory back home at any level of international soccer. He also assured the team of the support of both institutions he heads.
Head Coach Omar Sise and Team Manager Pa Suwareh Fye both commended Mr. Sabally for taking time from his busy schedule to give psychological lessons to the players.