Editorial
The urge to lead in any field is legitimate for any member of a group, but the responsibility to bear the not-so-nice part of leadership must come with the privilege. Therefore, those in charge of a nation’s sports must be patient and rational in dealing with the public.
Of all leadership positions, those of youth and sports organisations must be the most challenging because of the emotionally-charged nature of such bodies. Therefore, our leaders in sports must be courageous enough to face the public torchlight that must be shined for the common good.
Gambian football fans have been waiting for so long to get the desired results in our national game. After many changes in the leadership of our football federation, we are yet to see any tangible signs of success. As if a botched international coach search campaign, and a domestic coach selection that leaves a lot to be desired is not enough, the sporting fraternity is greeted with the rude shock of a sponsorship failure, as we prepare for a crucial Afcon qualifying game.
Why must the GFF leadership take offence at the reporting of a fact that has direct bearing on the nation’s football. After so many lead stories praising the Gambian game and bringing good football stories to the spotlight on our front page, there was not a single thank-you call from the GFF. And now after the revelation of a truth they kept away from the public glare, platforms of such facts are treated as some high treason.
GFF leadership should know that a professional newspaper like this one, with brand pedigree of more than two decades, cannot be bullied into silence when the national interest is at stake.
Daily Observer is neither fighting a battle, nor is the paper sent by any person to fight. What is certain is that the contract to sponsor the domestic football league has failed; and the GFF never came out to clarify this matter.
As the sporting world still reels from a catastrophic FIFA fiasco of opaque dealings, our national football federation owes the Gambian football fraternity TRANSPARENCY in all our national football matters.
We pray for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon the GFF leadership, the Scorpions and the entire Gambian football fraternity.
The Daily Observer is, and will forever remain, true fans of Gambian football; and To The Gambia ever true!