The village of Mbollet Ba in Niumi were recently crowned champions of the 2015 Ndofan Sports Committee-organised Nawettan, following a narrow 1-0 defeat of Medina Serign Mass in a final played at the Biri Biri football field in Ndofan village.
The game’s only goal came in the 21st minute courtesy of Amat Jobe.
The inter-village tournament was sponsored by Alhagie Mbaye, Customs Manager at The Gambia Ports Authority, for the second consecutive year. Mbaye has, this time, dedicated the trophy to the Minister of Youth and Sports and Basic and Secoundary Education, Alieu K Jammeh and Fatou Lamin Faye respectively.
Speaking at the final, Mbaye said: “I feel deeply honoured to have this important trophy named after me. National development, in whatever area, is everybody’s business and, as good citizens, we should be seen to be contributing our quota in one way or the other. Football tournaments have the potential to bring people together, especially the youth, who are the future leaders.”
While thanking the Ndofan Football Committee for giving him the honour for the second time to sponsor the tournament, Mbaye said he dedicated the trophy to the two Ministers in recognition of their efforts in youth, sports and education development in the country.
Mbaye concluded by thanking The Gambia Revenue Authority boss Yankuba Darboe, Alhagie Conteh of Customs, Biri Njie and others for contributing to the success of the tournament.
Jabang Bobb, Chairman of the Ndofan Sports Committee, thanked Mbaye for sponsoring the tournament, the fans, and players for maintaining discipline throughout the tournament.
Twelve villages, he said, participated in the tournament, which is a popular inter-village tournament since its inception in 1994. He announced that the committee is looking forward to increasing the number of particpating teams.
Bobb finally appealed for support to fence the football field.
As winners, Mbollet Ba went home with a giant trophy and cash prize of D8000, while the runners-up Medina Serign Mass also pocketed home a consolation prize of D5000 and a trophy.
by Awa Gassama