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.

Trophies were awarded to the following deserving Awardees.

  

Best Player of the Year – Lamin Sarjo Samateh, Samga FC, GFA Division 1,

Coach of the year – Lamin Sarr, National U20 Coach,

Paralympics Player of the Year – Isatou Nyang,

Tennis Player of the Year – Basuruwa Conteh, Gambia Tennis Association,

Referee of the Year – Dikory Jawo,

Sports Personality of the Year – Peter Gomez, West Coast Radio,

Best Company In Support of Sports – Africell GSM Provider,

Sports Broadcaster of the year – Amadou Wuyeh Manga, Unique FM,

Sports Writer of the Year – Cherno Omar Bobb, The Point newspaper, and

Photo Journalist of the Year – Abdoulie Fatty.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Mambureh Njie described the event as a mighty step towards promotion and development of sports in the Gambia.

The event was witnessed by host of individuals from both public and private sector in and outside the country. Among the guests was the high profile Senegalese players in the name of El Haji Diouf, three times African player of the year, Khalilou Fadiga, and a former player Alasane Ndure, and journalist Abdoulie Jagne, which demonstrated sports unity among the two countries.

Sainabou Kujabie-Njie, president of the SJAG, said the event is in line with the Association’s mandate to stage National Sports Award in contributing its quota to the promotion of sports in the Gambia.

Sainabou described sports as an integral player in the socio-economic development of a nation and as a tool to mould people, communities and countries towards promoting peace and unity.