Free Flow of Balanced Information Should Be Ensured at GFA

BB Baldeh

Now that The Gambia Football Association (GFA) has appointed a press officer after what had seemed to be eternity, there should be free and balanced flow of accurate and timely information to the public on matters relating to the governance of football in the country.

On Thursday …, 2011, Mr Bakary Baldeh, commonly known as BB, was engaged as the substantial holder for the position of press officer of The Gambia’s highest football governing body.

BB has a wealth of experience in sports journalism in The Gambia. Prior to this appointment, he was a key senior staff at West Coast, one of the most outstanding radio stations in the country.

There, BB carved a niche for himself as a prolific sports journalist and a leader, eventhough the circumstances that lead to his resignation are controversial.

He had resigned after he was cleared of charges of inciting violence when he hosted a sports programme at West Coast where he featured some disgruntle golf caddies, who were unhappy with the ‘unfair’ treatment accorded to them by the Gambia Golf Association during a sub-regional tournament held in Gambia some few months ago.

El-Hadji Diouf given five-year Senegal ban

Blackburn Rovers' El-Hadji Diouf has been banned from all football-related activities in Senegal for five years.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) slapped the ban on the forward after remarks he made in the media about corruption in African football.

An FSF statement read: "Diouf is banned from performing any football-related activity for a period of five years."

FAWEGAM Encourage Girls’ Education

Mrs. Absatou

By Abdoulie Nget

In a bid to encourage girls’ education, The Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWEGAM) on Monday started a five-day  unique mentoring program called “Take Our Daughters to Work 2011” at the Gambia Pastoral Institute (GPI) at Kairaba Avenue.

The program which attempts to combat obstacles facing girls’ education and encourage them to take their education seriously brought together 20 upper basic school girls across the country.

Tyson vs Balla Gaye: Who is to Win?

Tyson Vs Balla

By Omar Jarju

The much anticipated grand combat between the renamed famous American boxer Muhammed Ndao Tyson and Omar Sakho alias Balla Gaye 2 which is slated for July 31, 2011 to take place at the Stade Demba Diop in Dakar, Senegal is inching closer with fans hoping to see their star be the winner.

The elevator of Senegalese wrestling Tyson, 34 who was a king for series of years, defeating Muhamed Ali, Morr Fadam, Manga 2 and Mustapha Gueye and being overpowered by Bombarrde and Yekini, is to face the son of Dubbalese (Balla Gaye 2). Bala have succeeded in winning all his combats since the onset of his wrestling career but brought down by Ameu Sene of Boul Falle, a mentor of Tyson.

BB Baldeh, GFA’s new Media Officer

BB Baldeh

By Alhagie Panneh

Gambia Football Association (GFA) on Thursday appointed Bakary B. Baldeh, a former West Coast Radio’s studio Manager and sport presenter as media officer, a post which has for long been vacant.

There are hopes that complaints to access information from the GFA should now be a thing of the past as a journalist is been given the position to work hand and glove with FA, media and the general public to dispatch relevant and needed information on football.

Due to his experience in sport Journalism, especially football BB Baldeh was shortlisted alongside other candidates to see whom cap fits as the GFA Media Officer, but the Ex- West Coast man was proved the right man to handle the post.

Speaking to this paper, Mr Baldeh said the news came to him as a surprise as he was not expecting it. He sees the appointment as an honour by the Gambia’s supreme football body.

Who is Miss Bassin Andala Ceesay in Gambian Sports?

By Mamadi B Camara

Yassin

Born in Banjul, Miss Bassin Andala Ceesay who made series of achievements with The Gambia Flag, attended Campama Primary and Crab Island Secondary Schools respectively, before making her way to be known in the sporting arena,  leading her to the 2011 GNOC sports hall of fame at the Jaliba hotal on the 7 May.

Ms Ceesay under the guardianship of renowned physical education teacher Mr. Cherno Touray in 1968 represented her School in the inter-secondary school basketball championship, in The Gambia.

As a result of her outstanding performances, she was selected in the national basketball team to represent The Gambia at the Senegalese youth week.

Liberia 3-2 Gambia: Lone Star win Independence Day clash against the Scorpions

Liberia

Thousands of Liberian football fans received a special July 26 Independence Day gift from the country’s national football team on Sunday, as they beat their rivals in a friendly

The Lone Star of Liberia defeated the Scorpions of Gambia 3-2 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports complex in Paynesville outside Monrovia.

Both countries featured their best local talent in a match that the coaches saw as a superb opportunity to strengthen their respective squads for future challenges.

Picking Pique's brain

Pique

Having been granted an audience with Barcelona's double winner Gerard Pique, we were privy to some fascinating insights into how the Catalan giants stay ahead of the game. The world's most assured ball-playing centre-half proved as eloquent off the pitch as he is elegant on it.

Gambia to Have A Liberia Test

Paul Putt

By Omar Bah

The Gambia national team, Scorpions is lining up for an international friendly against Liberia on July 24 in Monrovia in commemoration of the 164^th independence anniversary of the Republic of Liberia.

Speaking in an interview at his office, Seedy Kinteh, president of the Gambia Football Association told The Daily News Sports that the game will go a long way in helping the country to put together a solid local based team in their quest to host the Armilca Cabral (Zone 2).

Samateh Grateful to be the Best

Samateh

By Alhagie Panneh

The Sports Journalists of the Gambia (SJAG) 2010 player of the year Lamin Sarjo Samateh who plies his football trade for the Gambian league one team Samger expressed his glee for winning the SJAG award for the second time.

Samateh who was shortlisted along side with Buba Jallow alias Melles and Dawda Bah, won the 2009 best play’s award at the friendship hostel, again won the Paradise FM player of the year and again voted as the best among hundreds of players in the GFA league as the best at the Jerma Hotel’s hall during the SJAG 2010 award.

Brikama Maintain Lead, Wallidan Asst. Feels Bad

Brikama United

By Mandu Sanneh

The GFA league leaders, Brikama continued to show their determination of winning the league after defeating the security boys, Armed Forces by 2-1 at the Box Bar, while Wallidan’s aim of winning the league is fading away after they have suffered their fifth defeat in a raw against Samger.

It was though a tough encounter for Brikama but thanks to a brace from their talisman, Bully Drammeh, they bagged three points, which saved their position as league leaders.

KMC VS Brikama: Gambia Deaf Sports Association Teams

Ebou Faye with the player of the Tournament Abdoulie Njie

A slightly overcast and wet Saturday afternoon on July 2, 2011 saw a large number of the deaf and hard of hearing community turn out in force to watch the clash of the Gambia Deaf Sports Association teams from KMC and Brikama at the Banjul mini sports stadium.

The historic event was kindly supported by the Banjul Breweries Ltd. and the Banjul Sports Association.

Lamin Ceesay, the President o The f Gambia Deaf Sports Association, GDSA, explained: “Generally, everything about deaf football is the same as football for hearing people.”

Senegal urged to halt Habre move

Mr Habre

The UN human rights chief has urged Senegal to reconsider sending former Chadian President Hissene Habre back to Chad, where he has been sentenced to death in absentia.

Navi Pillay expressed concern that Mr Habre could be tortured in Chad.

On Friday, Senegal said Mr Habre would be flown to Chad on 11 July.

Mr Habre is blamed for killing and torturing tens of thousands of opponents between 1982 and 1990, charges he denies.

Nicki Minaj: Artists To Watch 2011

Nicki Minaj

Until Lil Wayne discovered Nicki Minaj on the DVD series "The Come Up" two years ago, nearly a decade had passed since a female rapper created much buzz in the music industry.

Minaj, born Onika Maraj, has appeared on albums by Gucci Mane, Mariah Carey and Robin Thicke; received nods from Jay-Z and Beyoncé; and been courted by the likes of rapper Game for future collaborations.

Senegal leader's third term bid up to constitutional council

(AFP) – A debate over the legality of President Abdoulaye Wade's bid for a third term in power in next February's elections must be settled by the constitutional council, the presidency said Wednesday.

Some 60 opposition and civil society organisations have urged Wade, 85, to drop his controversial candidature after his bid to change election laws sparked recent riots in the capital.

Makumba Kanyi Asked to Make Up His Mind

By Omar Bah

Macoumba Kandji

The Gambia national team has been boosted by Seriff Kanyi’s overwhelming remarks on West Coast Radio asking Ma Kumba Kanyi to play for the country of his choice, after the player revealed earlier that he want to play for the Gambia.

Makumba, a Senegalese by birth and currently playing his professional football in the MLS Major Soccer league in America has been a long time target for the Gambian tactician Pull Putt and his country of birth Senegal.

UK Born Gambian Athlete Switches Allegiance

Nusrat Ceesay

By Alhagie Panneh

A Gambian by parents, Nusrat Ceesay was born in the United Kingdom and has declared her commitment to run for the Gambia in the upcoming Olympic Games in London 2012 after running for United Kingdom for so many years.

Nusrat Ceesay, a specialist in 400 meters, is the newest Athlete to represent the Gambia at international level.

She was speaking at a press conference on Friday where she was joined by other prominent sports personalities likes of El-Hagi Diouf, Kalilou Fadiga and Alasane Ndure at the Jerma Beach Hotel conference hall.

“I feel proud but…”, Gamtel’s Manneh

Gamtel FC

By Mandu Sanneh

The head coach of Gamtel FC, Mustapha Manneh expressed satisfaction and delight after his side dumped the Senegalese side, Niary Tally off the WAFU club championship in 5-4 spot kicks at the Independent Stadium in Bakau.

The two sides played both legs, in Dakar and in Banjul but failed to shake the net with a goal during the normal time, leading the game to post match penalty kicks in which Gamtel happened to be the lucky team to proceed to the next level of the WAFU competition.

Tubakuta Emerge Kombo East Champions

By Lamin Darboe

Tubakuta village team were on Sunday crowned champions of Kombo East district tournament after defeating Kuloro FC by a goal to nil in front of cheering spectators at the Mandinaba playing ground.

The tournament was organized in memory of the late Kebba M. Touray, a parliamentary, who passed away in 2005 while on oversea treatment in Cuba. The tournament which was sponsored by the family of the late Kebba M. Touray in Pirang, attracted villagers to either compete or watch games.

Kuloro looked to be the favorites in the opening minutes of the game with an attractive style of play. They dictated the pace of the game and had more ball possessions, but failed to hit the back of the net.  Yankuba Jallow, Lious Mendy and Buba Fofana all had golden scoring opportunities to put Kuloro ahead, but Tubakuta’s shot stopper Kebba Fadera was always in position to save his side.

‘Gambia Will Have New President Come November 24’

Hendry Gomez

By Abdoulie Nget

A new president different from incumbent Yahya Jammeh will occupy the State House after November 24 presidential election, the leader of opposition Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP) has assured.

That new president will be none, but Mr Henry Gomez himself, he told The Daily News in an unusual emphatic manner during an interview on Friday.

“We are doing our underground campaign - a door to door approach – and come November 24, the result will speak for itself,” he said.

Grounds have been cleared for Gambia’s presidential election as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) last month wrapped up a nationwide registration of voters. Nominations are slated for 10 November 2011.

Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, who is widely viewed as favorite will be seeking fourth five-year mandate. Jammeh himself said he will teach the opposition a lesson come November 24.

Immigrants in U.S Have Rights Denied to Them at Home

By Abdoulie Nget

Minister Bajo and ambassador White

The United States ambassador to The Gambia said her country’s democratic culture allows even immigrants to criticise the government and its leadership.

Ambassador Pamela White said, these however are rights denied to most by the governments and leaderships of their countries of birth.

She made this observation on Friday at Coco Ocean on the occasion of the 235 independence anniversary of U.S.A.

U.S. gained Independence in July 1776 from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Finance Minister Hails National Sports Award

By Ebrima Bah

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mambureh Njie on Saturday July 3, 2011 expressed high regards to the Sports Journalists Association of the Gambia (SJAG) for holding Annual National Sports Award in honour of sports men and women of the country successfully.

The sports Journalists Association on Saturday staged its third edition of the SJAG National Sports Award at the Jerma Beach Hotel to recognise efforts of individuals for their immense contribution in the development of sports during the year 2010.

Ten Men Gamtel Oust Niarry Tally off WAFU Championship

Gamtel FC

The telecommunication giants, Gamtel have successfully progressed to the next stage of the WAFU championship after a convincing 5-4 penalty against Senegalese Niarry Tally at the Independent Stadium on Sunday, July 3, 2011 in the return leg.

The two sides played their games in Dakar and in Banjul failing to score in the normal time, which resulted in a penalty kicks leading Gamtel, the Gambian side to victory.

Brikama United Widens Gap

Brikama United

By Alhagie Panneh

Brikama United on Thursday widen their gap from one to three points ahead of Real de Banjul who remained second, after winning Africell by two goals to nil at the Serrekunda East mini stadium.

Real de Banjul who are thrilling on their toes were hoping for Brikama United to draw against Africell on Thursday but things turned otherwise as the Western Coast Boys proved their strangeness to the GSM team, with a 2-0 easy pass.