SJAG Awards Deserving Sports Personalities, Institutions

by Arfang MS Camara

& Jainaba D Jatta

The Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG) awards ceremony has inspired many Gambian athletes and institutions who are trying to develop sports in the country.

The award ceremony that was held on Saturday April 23, witnessed over 30 awardees including sports personalities, institutions and honours to sportsmen and sports lovers of the country.

Speaking in an interview with Observer Light, Tapha Manneh, Gamtel Coach, who won the Coach of the Year Award, said this award is very important to him and his coaching career, noting that it shows that people recognises what he has been doing.

Manneh, whose Gamtel also won the Team of the Year Award, said he has being coaching for more than 10 years, but had never received such award.

Maimuna Sowe, Public Relations Manager of MGI, whose company won the Best Organisation in Support of Sports, said the award means a lot to their institution as they will continue supporting sports in the country.

She added that this award will help to push MGI in its efforts in trying to develop sports in The Gambia, especially football. She described it as a great pleasure for having SJAG recognised their contribution towards sports in the country.

“What our institution (MGI) is doing to the GFF and the National Team is tremendous and we would not relent in our support to the Scorpions and the GFF to get or develop the sports to higher height,” she said.

Mawdo Jallow, who won the Best Referee of the Year Award, said he is very grateful to the SJAG and the Gambian people who made him to win this award.

Pa Modou Jagne of FC Sion, winner of the Best Foreign Based Athlete, while speaking from his base in Switzerland, said he is very happy with the award, noting that, this is very important to his footballing career. He advised the young athletes to take up the challenge.