Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 69/2007, 15 – 17 June 2007
Editorial
WE ARE STILL STUDYING THE SITUATION
Foroyaa expected that the Office of the President or the Department of State
for the Interior would issue a press release or convene a press conference
to clarify whether Gambian dissidents were collaborating with the Senegalese
government to prepare the ground to overthrow Jammeh’s government.
Unfortunately, we could not get any official comment despite several attempts to consult
officials.
Independent investigations reveal that the conflict in Casamance has become
more complicated as different factions emerge.
Apparently, one faction is claimed to be allied with the Senegalese
government while the other is fighting for Independence.
There is accusation and counter accusation regarding support given to one
faction or the other by one government or the other.
It is therefore evident that the relation between The Gambia and Senegalese
governments is not at its best, to state it mildly.
Now one may ask: Is there cause for alarm.
Our reading is that an external military force can only pose an immediate
threat to a country by assembling troops close to a particular border in
preparation for an invasion or have links with members of an army which rebels
against its political leaders.
Foroyaa has not seen any evidence of arrests within the armed forces to
warrant suspicion of an immediate threat nor has it seen any assembling of troops
on the borders and heightened military alert to give indication of an
immediate threat.
What is evident is that the war in the Casamance close to the Gambian border
is still raging, Gambian military personnel who flee to Senegal are given
refuge and the relation between the two governments still appears to be
characterized by suspicion.
Foroyaa has highlighted the implications of raising alarms of war threats
and still call on the government to clarify issues. It now rests its case on
this matter.
Allow us to take this opportunity to inform readers that Foroyaa is engaged
in restructuring so that it will be able to engage in more investigative
journalism to tap diverse sources of information to keep the people fully
informed on all matters of national development.
WEST AFRICAN MINISTERS MEET
ON ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Ministers of Interior from the fifteen members states of the
Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in West
Africa (GIABA) on Wednesday, June 13, met at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Kololi,
for their 5th ad-hoc Ministerial Committee Meeting.
The Ministers’ forum was preceded by the Technical Commission Meeting of
GIABA at the same venue on Monday and Tuesday. The Director General of GIABA,
Dr. Abdoullahi Shehu, in a press statement, said money laundering is the
processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origins.
“Illegal arms sales, smuggling, and the activities of organized crime,
including for example drug trafficking and prostitution rings, can generate huge
amounts of proceeds,” Dr. Shehu said. He said embezzlement, insider trading,
bribery and computer Fraud Schemes can also produce large proceeds and create
the incentive to “legitimize” the ill-gotten gains through money laundering.
The GIABA director General also said when a criminal activity generates
substantial gains, the individual or group involved must find a way to conceal
the proceeds by disguising the sources, changing the form, or moving the funds
to a place where they are less likely to attract attention.
He emphasized that this is why weak economies run an even higher risk of
being severely affected by money laundering. According to Dr. Shehu most
transactions are conducted in cash, and money launderers have the possibility to use
loopholes contained in the laws (when they exist) to form their illicit
gains into apparently legitimate assets.
“Secondly, poverty coupled with a pressing need for financial resources may
lead some of our countries to turn a blind eye to illegal activities that
give them short-term benefit, but that imperil the entire sub-region in the long
run,” Dr. Shehu pointed out.
The Secretary of State for Justice and the Attorney General, Kebba Sanyang,
who gave the opening address on behalf of the President, said the menace of
money laundering and financing of terrorism cannot be dealt with by any one
country or jurisdiction, despite their level of resources and success, but can
only be achieved through concerted efforts and collaboration at the global
level. The Secretary of State said The Gambia promulgated the anti money
laundering and combating of terrorism laws in 2003, which are largely based on
international standards.
Mr. Sanyang said: “Given the complexity and dynamism in this area, the
Gambia Government is committed to its further review to match with international
standards. The Drug Control Act of 2003, which was amended in 2005, also
addressed issues relating to money laundering in relation to drug trafficking
activities,”
SoS Sanyang also said in October 2006, the government gave the Central Bank
of The Gambia the mandate to establish a Financial Intelligence Unit which
will be responsible for receiving, analyzing and scrutinizing of data on
suspicious transactions relating to money laundering and terrorism financing.
“The staff of the Unit is currently undergoing relevant training to
capacitize the unit to have it operationalised by September 2007, Mr. Sanyang
revealed.
GIABA’S Communication and Advocacy Officer, Karim Okanla, told reporters
that their work is to advocate and sensitise member states to provide laws on
anti money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Mr. Okanla added that they have succeeded in convincing thirteen countries
out of the fifteen members to provide and enforce anti money laundering laws,
with the exception of Ghana and Togo who are yet to provide such laws.
GIABA was created on December 10, 1999 by the Authority of Heads of States
of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The revisiting of GIABA’
S status on January 10, 2006 in Niamey, Chad gave it a new commitment.
According to a final report of the ad-hoc ministerial meeting, The Gambia’s
Secretary of State for the Interior, Ousman Sonko was elected acting
Chairperson of the council due to the inability of the current chair of Ad Hoc
Committee, the Minister of Interior of Burkina Faso who could not attend the
meeting. However, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal and Niger were nominated by
consensus to serve as rapporteurs.
BABA JOBE, OTHERS DISCLAIM LIABILITY IN D7 MILLION SUIT
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
A defence counsel in the Guaranty Trust Bank seven million dalasis suit
against Baba Jobe, former APRC big wig and ex-majority leader of the National
Assembly and others has said that the defendants are not liable to the plaintiff’
s claim.
Lawyer Janet Sallah Njie said this before Justice H.C. Roche at the High
Court on Tuesday, June 12, while making a submission.
Mrs. Sallah Njie told the court that it is the signatory to the document who
is liable to the claim filed by the plaintiff.
She said, there is nowhere in the statement of claim indicating that the
first, second and third defendants are signatories to any document that gave
rise to the claim before the court.
The defence counsel submitted that the plaintiff is a banking and financial
institution and has an obligation under the law to give aid to prudent
businessmen and not negligent business persons who enter bad financial
transactions. In response to the defence, Christopher Mene, counsel for the plaintiff
said the defence counsel’s application is misconceived and off the point.
Mr. Mene argued that in such an application you cannot challenge the
statement of claim.
He urged the court to dismiss the defence’s submission, adding that the
defendants are liable to the claim being made by the plaintiff.
The court will rule on this argument today, Friday.
TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS NOT A PRIORITY- SoS Education
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education, Fatou Lamin Faye,
on Tuesday, June 12, told the National Assembly that the transportation of
students is not a priority of her department.
Mrs. Faye was responding to a question from the Minority leader and Member
for Kiang West Momodou Sanneh as to what plans her Department has in place to
ease the constraints parents and children are facing in accessing transport
to school.
“Contrary to the expectations of the Honourable Member for Kiang West, the
transportation of students is not a priority of the Department of State for
Basic and Secondary Education. Rather, guided by the current school mapping
framework and criteria for establishing new schools, taking education to the
doorstep of every child is the best option in the quest to universalise
education in the country,” Mrs. Faye said.
The Secretary of State also said it is a Government policy that no child
should travel or walk for more than three kilometers without access to a school.
She added that they are aware of the situation in the Greater Banjul Area
and other areas in the country, where students opt to travel fairly long
distances to access education, even though there are schools that are nearer to
where they live.
She said: “To ameliorate this, the Department of State for Basic and
Secondary Education negotiates, when necessary, with the Department of State for
Works and Infrastructure and the Department of State for Finance and Economic
Affairs for provision of vehicles and stabilization of bus fares respectively.
It is as a result of such discussions that the bus fare for students is now
pegged at D3:00 per student. We regret that due to budgetary constraints,
buses cannot be readily procured to increase the existing fleet of school buses
nor can we immediately replace those that are off the road.”
GAMBIA’S HIV-1 PREVALENCE DROPS
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence has dropped for the
first time in The Gambia in 2005 since the year 2000, said Nuha Ceesay, the joint
United Nations Programme on Aids (UNAIDS) country officer, The Gambia.
Mr. Ceesay made this revelation recently at a consultative meeting on
HIV/AIDS at the Sun Beach Hotel, Cape Point, where he presented a paper as part of
events marking the Global AIDS Week of Action 2007.
He said that the prevalence of HIV-1 in The Gambia between 2000 to 2001 was
at 1.2 percent, in 2002 it was at 1.4 percent, in 2003 it rose to 1.5
percent, in 2004 it moved to 2.1 percent and significantly dropped to 1.1 percent in
2005.
The prevalence of HIV-2 as Mr. Ceesay pointed out had also dropped
significantly from one percent in 2002 and 2003 to 0.8 percent in 2004 and 0.6 percent
in 2005 respectively. The same paper, based on UNAIDS 2006 report on global
AIDS epidemic shows that the adults and children living with HIV in The
Gambia are 20, 000 and women living with the virus in the country are 11, 000.
The records also showed that the number of adults and children in West and
Central Africa living with HIV are 9, 324, 000 and women constitute 3,821,700.
Tell Me Who Is Secure!!
Who is secure
In a society
Where human rights watchdogs
Only bark for justice?
While human disappearances
Are a commonplace
That inaugurates zero security
Even loyalist of the status quo
Should feel not secure
For no one is immune
To incarceration
As many arbitrary arrestors
Are becoming inmates
After innumerable ages
Of clustering
Power trustees
In the socio-political milky way
As people belonging to the same galaxy
Tell me who is secure!
For the summing up
Of the degree of security
And vulnerability to impunity
An injury…..
We shan’t nurse in silence
FATHER FORGIVES SON’S ALLEGED KILLER
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
One Gibril Sanyang of Ebo Town, whose son was killed by a motorist some time
in 2005, at Ebo Town has appeared before principal Magistrate Moses Richard
and told the court he intends to forgive the accused person. Mr. Sanyang made
this remark at Kanifing Magistrates Court on Monday 11 June.
Mr. Sanyang told the court that since the accused person is still denying
the act, he is ready to forgive him knowing that his son will never come back
to life again. He added that since the beginning of the case, he told his
brother to handle the matter and do something to rest the issue with the police.
He said that he had travelled since then and was hoping that the matter would
have been laid to rest. He added that he was surprised when the police
called him to come to court for the case to be heard again. Mr. Sanyang indicated
that accidents do happen in communities but that be believes that no driver
will intentionally kill someone, especially a young boy like his son.
Magistrate Richards told him to prepare or swear to an affidavit of his application
in respect to the incident.
The accused person, Mr. Omar Touray was standing trial for killing a nursery
school boy sometime in 2005 at Ebo Town, while driving a Gamwater Vehicle
without a valid driving licence. He pleaded not guilty. The case was first
heard at Bundung Magistrates Court. It was recently transferred to the Kanifing
Court due to lack of jurisdiction. The prosecution was Corporal 1042 Kujabi.
Case adjourned to 19th June.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
1982 ELECTION CAMPAIGN
THE INCUMBENT INVOLVED IN PLANE CRASH WHILE THE OPPOSITION CONFINED TO
BARRACKS
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been focusing on politics in general in this column, so that young
Gambians, in particular, can know where their country had come from and where
we are heading. But this can only be effectively done, if we review the
history of politics in The Gambia from the pre-colonial to post independence era.
We are now analysing the politics of the first Republic under the leadership
of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. We are now advancing into the happenings of the
early 1980’s. We have stopped where we opined that many felt that the July 30
rebellion had indeed influenced the course of events because Jawara had
always argued against such an inquiry. Let us pick up from where we have stopped.
Now that the two contending parties have set themselves for a country-wide
campaign to win the hearts and minds of the people, campaign started in
earnest.
Honourable Sheriff M. Dibba, the leader and only presidential candidate
against the incumbent, Alhagie Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, could not himself join
his campaign team. He had to wait for the outcome of the elections at his
place of detention.The job was left with few of his lieutenants, like Foday
Makalo and Fodayba Jammeh, who were themselves, busy with their own constituencies.
The PPP, however, were very much set for the battle which was not of equals.
They had the National radio, as well as, The Gambia News Bulletin at their
disposal. They also had the Government vehicles, mainly Land rovers of the
Public Works Department, (PWD) trucks and drivers and fuel at their disposal.
They had the security personell, the cowed civil servants and the Senegalese
soldiers, as well, at their disposal.
With all these apparatus and human resources at their disposal, it was
inconceivable how an opposition leader who was held in detention could in any way
marshal support to defeat such a force. To many people and to the PPP itself,
their victory was a forgone conclusion.
Despite all these, no one could sit comfortably to wait for the outcome. The
militants of the PPP led mainly by ministers of state had to criss-cross the
country to ascertain victory. This was why they concentrated on areas such
as the URD, and the Badibus, where the Independents were concentrated and
also where the opposition leader hails from.
The intimidation and harassment witnessed during the 1982 election campaign
was said to be the worst recorded in the history of The Gambia’s democratic
process. Reports indicated that the campaign teams of the ruling party would
take along Senegalese soldiers with guns to villages mainly opposed to them;
that they would stand at “Bantabas” (platforms) where elders sit, and a
person like Mr. Momodou Manneh,a fprmer cabinet minister, would hold a whip in his
hand and rained all kinds of insults on village elders. They would threaten
elders and told them that there was no law in the country, referring to the
state of Emergency; that they have all the powers to whip any intransigent
elders who opposed them,. According to reports, when the PPP entourage
approached certain villages who were in support of the NCP leader in Central Badibu,
women gardeners would tremble and loose their pales of water in the wells
because of fear that the thugs had come again to terrorize them. Some elders were
said to have been so terrified that they took refuge in their food stores.
Others were said to have left the country to avoid embarrassment.
1982 was the first time in Gambian history when a helicopter had been
utilized in electioneering campaign. According to the Gambia Outlook of Mr.Melville
Jones, people had been seeing president Jawara boarding and disembarking a
helicopter on what it called his hazardous rounds of electioneering campaign,
both on his own behalf and on behalf of his party’s candidates.
The reason given was that it was indeed boring and tiresome for the
president to traverse the country and gaining access to those constituencies by
either road or by river boats or both.
The PPP also announced the purging of those they considered as the dissident
members, such as Buba Baldeh and others like Kebba Fadera of Kiang East, who
was bent on standing against Honourable J.L B. Daffeh of the PPP. This came
about when everything was done and said to convince or bribe them with words
not to stand against their own party such as, “Don’t risk your career” keep
your worthwhile jobs as civil servants; that you have a brighter future if
you hold on to your jobs a little longer, etc, and that promises of not only
upgrading their salaries but status as well, were made to them. But these
independents were said to have maintained that it was not money that was their
motivation but to give effective representation to their people.
As the campaign was heating up at high gear, on Friday 23rd April 1982, the
president boarded a Senegalese military helicopter with his entourage and
headed for a grand political rally at Brikamaba in the Lower Fuladu District,
where he was to meet, almost all, his cabinet ministers on the ground. Little
did anyone knew that something of a national catastrophe was about to happen.
The Senegalese helicopter, reports said, developed an engine failure in mid
air and crashed on its way somewhere near Brikamaba which was about 120 miles
from Banjul, the capital. The crash was said to have happened on a big “netoo
” tree but nothing was initially made clear to the people.
The BBC however reported the accident but allayed fears when it said, “
Nothing serious happened to the president, except that he was suffering from a
great shock after emerging from a terrible ordeal’.
According to reports, radio Gambia later reported on the accident confirming
the crash and went further to announce the death of retired Member of
Parliament, Hon. A.B Njie.
With the elections just a week to go, the president was flown to Dakar for
what the reports said was a check-up. Many feared that something worse must
have happened.
The opposition leader, however, remained in strict confinement and unable to
meet his constituents, let alone give inspiration to them. And with the
curfew and state of Emergency imposed, the question that remained was that ‘was
there a political campaign actually going on whereby the people of opposing
factions would be better informed of what was actually transpiring?’.
The plane crash, infact, increased the tension and fear that anyone found
saying anything adverse against the regime got himself effectively behind bars.
Many reports indicate that only those diehard supporters of the opposition,
such as one Landing Sonko, Omar Sonko, all of Sika in Niumi, one Lamin
Bojang, alias Bamail of Brikama, Momodou Lamin Camara of Jambanjelly, Momodou Bah
of Brikama and Karamo Saula of Kiang Jali and so many elders found themselves
in trouble. Little did they know that nothing could be said or done during
the state of Emergency with the Emergency Powers Act, Section 12 and 19 without
having oneself put in trouble.
The 1982 elections also witnessed one woman candidate, a Nyimasata Sanneh
Bojang, who stood against an NCP candidate for the Kombo North Constituency.
She was to be the first woman to enter parliament through the ballot should she
emerged the winner in that contest.
The history of women politics is a sad case study, for The Gambian women
participate fully in campaigns but hardly as candidates seeking to serve the
people. They have always been used as clappers, praise singers and dancers,
since Independence. This was due mainly to the low level of literacy amongst
them. There was no encouragement given to them . The first woman to be nominated
to parliament for her devotion and duty to the ruling PPP was Mrs. St. Clair
Joof. Before that she was then a nominated Councillor to the then, Bathurst
Town Council.
See next issue as we discover the aftermath of the 1982 elections.
NA ON QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
By Isatou Bittaye
The National Assembly on Wednesday 13 June had a question and Answers
Session of which Honourable members asked questions to various Secretaries of State
present. In responding to a question raised by the Member for Kombo Central,
Hon. Abdou F.H.S Jarju, the SoS for Information, Communication and
Technology said airspan is the technology being employed to provide telecommunication
services in a much wider coverage in both rural and semi urban areas. She
added that due to the high cost of airspan development (approximately D80,
000.00 per line), alternative technologies such as the CDMA is also being planned
for Kaur and its surrounding villages within 25km radius. She indicated that
Gamtel still needs D50 million for the complete rollout of the airspan
technology in the villages and is therefore reviewing this project and to this
effect, approval will be sought from government to borrow funds from the local
banks. Also responding to a question asked by the member for Kiang East on the
measures the Department is using to curb the attrition rate of nurses, the SoS
for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tamsir Mbowe said the emigration of
nurses is a global health problem. Dr. Mbowe indicated that the high attrition
rate of nurses poses a formidable challenge to the Health Sector. He added that
the government has approved about 5.2 million dalasis as an incentive package
to enhance retention. Dr. Mbowe said that a task force chaired by the
Directorate of Health Planning and Information is working on equitable allocation
of the resources based on well-defined criteria. He indicated that the
introduction of double intakes at the pre-services Nursing Training Institutions
will address the critical and acute shortage of Nursing Officers. Dr. Mbowe said
the Department has been implementing the strategy of improving the work
environment and the activities which are aligned to the strategy includes:
· Provision of staff accommodation;
· Staff houses have been included in the construction of most of
the new hospitals;
· A funded project with IDB will construct 40 new housing units in
the AFPRC hospital;
· A posting committee has been set up to address the problem of
staff posting; and
· Opportunity for staff training have intensified and very soon a
nurse will qualify with PHD degree.
MAGISTRATE BALDEH ISSUES BENCH WARRANT FOR PROSECUTION WITNESS
The trial of the Sutukonding duo was on Monday called at the Basse
Magistrates Court for the fifth prosecution witness to testify in the matter.
When the police prosecutor, 1781 Kinteh called his witness (Mr. Basama
Jawneh), he realised that his witness was not in court. At that stage, he applied
for a bench warrant for the arrest and detention of the witness in order to
facilitate the continuation of the proceedings.
In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Amadou Tony Baldeh said the
prosecution witness absented himself for three consecutive sittings without
advancing any reason to the court. He said the witness has shown total disregard to
the court. He later ordered the arrest and detention of the witness. He said
Basama should be detained until June 13, 2007 so that the matter can proceed.
The case was adjourned to 13 June for continuation.
SOLDIER CLASHES WITH POLICE OFFICERS
By Modou Jonga
A soldier clashed with two traffic police officers on Tuesday, 13th June at
a traffic check point located at Yundum in the Kombo North.
The tussle which was on the verge of leading to a physical confrontation,
was averted by onlookers. The soldier was on board a Mini-Van which was stopped
by a traffic police officer for more than twenty minutes.
The driver of the van was detained by the police who alleged that the driver’
s documents were invalid. The state guard personnel later asked the police
to release the driver so that they would be transported to their various
destinations.
The police officer responded by telling the state guard personnel that he
should not tell him how to perform his job. This resulted in a confrontation
between the two. The dispute exacerbated when a female traffic officer
intervened and told the soldier that his concerns should have been channelled
professionally.
The soldier vehemently condemned and rubbished the behaviour of certain
traffic police officers at certain check points. The utterances of the security
officers were over heard by this reporter, who witnessed the scene.
NAMS RATIFY CONVENTION ON AFRICAN TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
By Isatou Bittaye
The National Assembly on Wednesday 13th June moved the motion to consider
and ratify the Convention on African Telecommunications Union (ATU). In raising
the motion, the Secretary of State for Information, Communication and
Technology, Neneh Macdouall Gaye said the African Telecommunication Union was
formed in December 1999 to replace the Pan African Telecommunication Union (PATU)
which was established in December 1977. SoS Macdouall Gaye indicated that the
aim of the organisation is to promote the development of telecommunication
services in Africa through appropriate policies and programmes that will
enhance universal access to telecommunication services for citizens of Africa. She
indicated that the objectives of ATU include:
i) to promote the development and adoption of appropriate
telecommunication policies, legislative and regulatory framework for Africa;
ii) To promote the funding and financing of telecommunication
infrastructure in Africa;
iii) To promote programmes for the development of Africa Information
society;
iv) To prepare special programmes for Africa’s Least Developed
Countries (LDC’s) including telecommunication development in rural areas;
v) To promote human resource development in the field of
info-communication
vi) To promote the establishment of info-communication industries;
vii) To coordinate strategies and positions of member states in
preparation for international meetings;
viii) To harmonise the actions of member states and associate members
in the telecommunications sector;
ix) To promote and encourage the exchange of information, expertise
and technology relating to info-communications for the benefit of all member
states
x) To foster cooperation and partnership between member states.
The motion was seconded by the member for Jimara and the Assembly considered
and ratified the convention on African Telecommunication Union (ATU)
Hawks Dampen Wallidan’s Title Chances
By Modou Nyang
A second half brace by Hawks has almost thrown Wallidan out of the title
race yesterday at the Independence Stadium.
Two second half goals from striker Lamin Sarr in the 58th and 87th minutes
proved the nemesis Wallidan as their chance of reclaiming their title they
lost to rivals Ports last season.
A defeat at this stage was the last Wallidan could have desired for as their
fellow title contenders Real de Banjul and Ports drew yesterday at the
Independence Stadium to take the title fight to the last day of the league.
Wallidan put up a strong resistance and in the 80th minute an agile Hawk
goalkeeper Robert Badjie put up a great save when he tucked away Amadou Gaye’s
powerful header. Badjie was there also to deny Gaye as tried to fire his side
back to game after coming in as a substitute.
Gamtel FC also fired a similar score line against relegation battling Bakau
United at the Serrekunda East playing grounds. The win has also propelled
Gamtel to join the top three in the race to the 2007 league title.
Earlier on Wednesday Steve Biko drew one all against Sait Matty at
Serrekunda West as they fight to avoid the drop from the top division league. Armed
Forces FC defeated Seaview FC 2-1 at the Serrekunda East grounds on the same
day, whilst Ports Authority FC and Real de Banjul failed to cancel out each
others chance of clinching the league title by firing blanks at the Independence
Stadium.
Wallidan Players Attack Journalists
By Modou Nyang
Wallidan FC turned their anger and frustration of losing 2-0 to Hawks and
their seemingly dissipating chance of clinching the league title, by attacking
Journalists who entered their dressing room for an interview at the
Independence Stadium.
The ugly imbroglio started when Tombong Jadama a reporter with West Coast
Radio approached the head coach of Wallidan Foday Bah for an interview inside
their dressing room. Bah declined and instead vented his anger and unhappiness
in the manner he perceived, another interview he had with the same reporter
a week ago was aired.
The situation inside the dressing room immediately turned ugly when Jadama
tried to clarify his position as other officials inside the room together with
some players and supporters surrounded him accusing him for being unfair.
This reporter (Modou Nyang) who was standing at the door of the dressing room
upon seeing his colleague surrounded by the angry mob rushed in and when he
stopped the most aggressive player (Sar) who was at the point of hitting Jadama,
he (Sar) then turned on him (Nyang). As the situation was about to go out of
hand Foday Bah, the coach intervened to restrain his players. Last week,
Wednesday 6th June 2007 at the KG V playing grounds in Banjul after losing 1-0
Ports Authority FC, a Moody Foday Bah complained in a post match interview of
his anger with the Gambia Football Association on their decision of extending
the suspension of one of his players. Bah said that the said player received
a red card when they played against Bakau United and instead of the normal
two match suspension, it was extended and worst still for him the suspension
was applied selectively.
When the interview was aired last week on the radio’s Sport Report program,
the editor after relaying the interview asked Jadama about his opinion and he
responded that he could not be a judge to the issue. And as it turned out to
be, the Wallidan players, officials and some supporters got irritated with
Jadama’s statement.
Female League kicks off Today
By Modou Nyang
The Gambia Football Association Female division 1 and 2 leagues will
commence today with six matches in different venues taking place.
Defending champions Company Ten will open their challenge in defence of
their title with a game against Abuko United at the Serrekunda West playing
grounds. Red Scorpions and Future Bi will lock horns at the Serrekunda East whilst
Interior will take on City Girls at Banjul.
On the same say too Bundung United will play Jeshwang United at in the
second tier league at 3pm at Banjul and Senegambia Border take on Makasutu at
Serrekunda East at the same time. Kinteh’s FC will complete the day’s fixtures
in the second division on the same day in a clash against Watford, at
Serrekunda West.
The matches continue next week Tuesday.
Scorpions Rearing to Go
By Modou Nyang
The Scorpions are in Praia ready to sting their way to victory against host
Cape Verde in tomorrow’s Nations Cup qualifier. But the attention from Banjul
will not only be focusing to Praia but more so north wards across the Sahara
to Algiers, too.
No matter what transpires in Praia between the Gambia and Cape Verde, if the
Desert Foxes of Algeria picked up all three points at home to the Cyli
National of Guinea, they will book their place in next years continental showpiece
in Ghana. Algeria will have already collected eleven points and the
Scorpions determination to collect all six points in their two remaining matches will
not be enough as they will accrue a total ten points. And the chance for the
raising of Gambia’s flag in Ghana will remain in the balance as all chances
rest on the other second placed countries in the other groups’ performance.
The Scorpions hopeful ten points is currently at par with or inferior to other
second placed countries like Sudan, Uganda and others. Hence the chance of
making it to Ghana through the second available option of the three second best
in ten of the groups of four of the twelve groups in the qualifiers will be
dashed.
As matters stand then all wishes and prayers is for Scorpions triumph in
Praia and a goalless draw in Algiers over north. The Scorpions might have blown
their golden opportunity here on home ground when they allowed Guinea to go
away with all three points. But who knows destiny might be taking its course.
So go, Scorpions go, sting venomously.
Under 20 Leave Finally
By Modou Nyang
The National U – 20 football team has finally left for their long overdue
training camp. The team jetted out of Banjul International Airport with Slok
Air Yesterday morning at 10am to Dakar, where they will connect to the United
States. They are expecting to play few test games before crossing north to
Canada for the much awaited U – 20 World Cup.
The U – 20 Scorpions initially had plans for a two month overseas training
camp which entailed a month long training in the UK and another in the US, but
as matters turned out to be, coach Peter Bonu Johnson unsatisfactorily have
to settle for contingency plans. And now the boys had finally left Gambian
shores, they will have time to jeer up for the tough challenges ahead of them
in the cold white north.
They will engage Mexico in their first match on July 2nd in an appetising
encounter that will see the Young Scorpions announce their arrival in the world’
s second biggest stage in football, against the side that stole the honours
two years ago in the FIFA U – 17 Championships in Peru.
Clashes with fellow newcomers New Zealand three days later will follow suit
before they complete the group matches against Portugal on July 8th. The
first two in the group will qualify to the next round of sixteen. The quarter
finals and semi finals will follow before the grand final on July 22nd for the
eventual finalist.
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