Former President Jawara’s Wife Testifies in Court

Njemmeh Jawara

By Ebrima Bah

Madam Njaimeh Jawara, the second wife of former president Dawda K Jawara yesterday testified in the trial involving four Gambia Golf Association (GGA) members and a West Coast radio sports journalist, accused of inciting violence. 

Messrs Lamin Drammeh, Lamin Tamba, Almamy Jagne and Bakary Njie all of GGA and Bakary B Baldeh, a sports journalist of West Coast Radio are facing two charges at Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.

The five men are alleged to have intended ‘to destroy the President Yahya Jammeh’s forty-thousand dollar ($40, 000) sponsored golf tournament’ organized by GGA held in February this year.’

Their indictment also reveals that Lamin Drammeh, Lamin Tamba and Bakary Njie have on February 2011 at Fajara Golf verbally abused Njaimeh Jawara.

Testifying as state witness no.1, Madam Jawara said she was informed by her son, Ebrima Jawara, the GGA president that President Jammeh has sponsored a golf tournament and that she could take part in the competition.

She said she went to the golf coast alongside her son, Ebrima Jawara, but none of the golf caddies was willing to side with them.

She said her son told her that some golf caddies were on a strike and have been to West Coast Radio insulting him.

She claimed that she was molested and insulted by Lamin Drammeh, while she was attempting to reconcile the two.

According to her, as she tried to reconcile Mr Drammeh with his son, the former yelled at his fellow caddies to put down their bags and to boycott the competition.

Madam Jawara added that all the caddies were furious and started provoking her. She is expected to continue her testimony later as she will be traveling to UK for an eye treatment, which will last for six weeks, the court heard.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Tabally stroke-out the third charge which alleges the five men of making statements on West Coast radio that could destroy both Baby Mariam Yahya Jammeh Golf competition and the GGA.

“The fact that the tournament was sponsored by President Yahya Jammeh and named after his daughter does not make it a public matter,” argued Mr Pap Cheyassin Secka, a defense counsel.

The case resumes April 12, 2011.

Serrekunda Utd Open Delight Debut

By Mandu Sanneh

Serrekunda United on Wednesday opened their sensational second division debut with a one nil victory against Lamin FC at Serrekunda East mini stadium against Lamin FC, on their way in trying to win the 2011 Gambia’s second football flight.

The first chances of the game came from Baboucarr Jallow and Hamang Conteh of Lamin FC in the 11^th and 21^th minutes respectively, but both failed to convert it into a goal.

Baboucarr Jallow of Serekunda United launched a beautiful header in the 24 minute, but it was well saved by Sainey Jammeh, Lamin FC’s goalkeeper.

With eight minutes before the break, Madi Jatta opened the scores with a fantastic header after benefiting from a corner kick. The goal was well defended by Serrekunda United till the half- time whistle was blown by the central referee.

Come into the second half, Lamin FC introduced fresh legs in a bid to find an equalizer. Despite all their efforts, it was difficult for them to escape the focused defense of Serrekunda United.

In the 61^st minute, Hamang Conteh nearly netted-in an equalizer with a brilliant free-kick but his shot hit the cross bar.

Serrekunda United were able to defend their lead to the end of the game, which gave them three points to start with in the second division league.

Modou Njie, the head coach of Serrekunda United said: “No relegation this time. We are not going down; we will fight hard in all our games.”

He admitted that his side at times lacked communication within themselves but promised that they will work to improve on that weakness.

Meanwhile, the head coach of Lamin FC Tony Awih told this reporter that in football, you either win or lose.

“We were not expecting to lose,” he said. “We beat them last year and this time it is their turn.”

He added: “The problem was that my players don’t follow instructions. They are young players, but we will bounce back.”

In a similar engagement, Serrekunda East defeated Zycot/Sea View in Manjai by a goal to nil. The goal was scored by Muhammed Lamin Sallah from a spot-kick.

In Banjul KG5, Hawks FC shared points with Banjul United in a goalless draw.

GFA Release Division Two Fixtures

By Mandu Sanneh

 

The Gambia Football Association (GFA) released the 2011 national league two first round fixtures, the division that consist of only 12 teams will commence today Wednesday 30 March 2011.

Week One

 Serrekunda United who bounced back in the second division after playing qualify round, will open their first game against Lamin FC at the Serrekunda East mini stadium on Wednesday. In the same fixtures Hawks FC who were relegated last season will take on Banjul United at Banjul KG5 mini Stadium in Banjul on the same day.

Another relegated side Zycot/Sea View will host Serrekunda East FC at Father Gough Complex in Manjai all games will starts at 4:30pm on the same Wednesday.

On Thursday 31 March, Nema United will take on Latrikunda United at Serrekunda East while Starlight another team that continue to exist in the qualify round will play against Tallinding United in Manjai all at 4:30pm on Wednesday.

 

Week two stands like this:

6.  Wed: 6/04/11   S/K United Vs Banjul United 4:30pm Banjul

7.  Wed 6/04/11   S/K United Vs Tallinding United 4:30pm S/K East

8.  Wed 6/04/11   Lamin FC Vs L/K United 4:30pm Brikama

9.  Thur 7/04/11 Starlight     Vs Hawks 4:30pm Banjul

10. Thur: 7/04/11 Zycot/S.View Vs Nema United 4:30pm Manjai.

Wallidan, Armed Forces & Samger Collect all Three Points

By Mandu Sanneh

 

 Wallidan FC continued their winning form in the GFA week four fixtures after their one nil defeat against GPA FC on Sunday at the KG5 mini stadium in Banjul.

The win now placed them third position in the table with seven points out of four games and scored three goals.

And at Serrekunda East mini stadium it all went to 2009 league champions A/Forces FC, who also won one nil against Steve Biko cutesy of Kabba Jobe in the 71th minute of second half. A/Forces are now in the second position of the table, eight points and scored three goals in four games behind the league leaders Brikama Utd who defeated Real de Banjul the same score line in Brikama, with eight points and four goals out of four games.

At the Serrekunda West mini stadium Samger collected their first three points since the commencement of the league against the draw specialist, Interior FC, who didn’t win any game since the zero hours of the league. The academy boys now have four points out of four games while their opponent, Interior FC has three points in four games.

UNESCO Boosts Efforts to Digitalise National Library

The National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM/UNESCO) on Friday presented IT equipment to The Gambia National Library in supporting efforts to digitalise the library.

4 computers, a heavy duty copier, a colour printer, a flatbed scanner and a digital camera, procured at a tune of D230, 000.00, were officially presented to the Library officials at a presentation ceremony held at the Gambia National Library in Banjul on Friday.
“The public library is the local gateway to knowledge as it provides a basic condition for life-long learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups, ” Sisay said Dr. Fatoumata Sisay-Joof, vice chairperson of NATCOM board.
Dr. Sisay-Joof described the gesture as a necessity in making sure that the Gambia National Library goes digital in performing their office duties for easy accessibility of library materials. 
“We [UNESCO- NATCOM] are quite aware of the new technological challenges of the library services but these challenges are equally opportunities for the national library to upgrade and integrate new technologies and adapt to the new trends,” she added. “We know that The Gambia National Library services authority is striving to respond to those needs and working towards a state of the art digital library in the very near future.”
According to her, The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, through its programmes provides technical and material support to its partners each year.
“For this year, UNESCO-NATCOM, with funding from the 2010-2011 UNESCO Participation programme has been able to provide 4 computers, a heavy duty copier, a colour printer, a flatbed scanner and a digital camera, which cost D230, 000.00, in response to the request made by the national library,” she said.
Madam Sukai Bojang, the Secretary General of NATCOM/UNESCO noted that most libraries in the world are on digital, adding that it is relevant to provide such equipment to the library for them to join the digital world.
 “In every ten years, UNESCO provides office equipment to the needy and in this year’s package, The Gambia National Library happens to benefit,” she said, adding that “They will not only benefit from the equipment but training as well so as to boost their work in the library services.”
Abdou Wally Mbye, director general of The Gambia National Library Services Authority acknowledged that UNESCO is a major partner. According to him, UNESCO is the only partner that comes to the library’s aid with such a huge and needed equipment that would help them digitalise the library.
 “We will from now on be able to show up the national library global connection, where everybody can excess our information,” he said.
Being a national library, Mbye said: “We are hardly acknowledged in our work but not in the case of NATCOM/UNESCO as they are helping us to achieve our goals by being visible globally; we haven’t  get this assistance from any other partner, and for that we have delightedly designated the National Library American Conner to UNESCO Conner.”
In a separate engagement, NATCOM/UNESCO also benefited from UNESCO assistance under the Participation programme, IT equipment comprising 7 computers, 4 multifunction printers, 6 UPS voltage stabilizers, 4 external hard drives, a professional digital camera, an A3 colour printer and a heavy duty copier have been provided for the office were presented to UNESCO at the National Library office in Banjul.

Author: Abdoulie Nget

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GPA Bounces Back

By Omar Bah

Bonu Jonhson GPA Coach

The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) on Sunday bounced back after losing to the telecommunication boys, Gamtel two nil in the GFA League Super Cup played at the new Banjul mini stadium.

GPA were struggling with lack of form but are coming up to their best   as they beat Gamtel one nil on Sunday in the third week of GFA first division Round.

The win marked the second for the ferry boys after losing to Jarraf in the African Championship and were also beaten 3-1 by the Gambia Armed Forces in a friendly, while the ferry boys opened the league with a win against Africell.  

The FA cup winners, Gamtel were the better side in the early minutes of the game but went on to lost the dominance to the defending champions who came into the game hoping to bounce back from the defeat in the super cup.   

Abdou Njie gave GPA the lead in the 13^th minute of the first half from a penalty spot, but they could not hold on for so long as Gamtel’s Malamin Singhateh levelled the scores in the 21^st minute. Omar Manneh came in as a sub in place of the injured Singhateh, to put Gamtel ahead before half time, as the teams headed to the dressing room with the game tight at 2-1 in favor of Gamtel.

Coming to the second half, ports were the better side as they were able to bounce back from 2-1 by scoring twice, courtesy of Hamza Barry in the 63^rd minute and Lamin Gibba in the 93^rd minute respectively.  

Speaking to journalists after the game, Peter Bonu Johnson head coach of the ferry boys said the opponents’ defenses were fundamental and he will give big credit for their excellent display.