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| Yoro Njie |
The Gambia swimming sports Association on
Saturday 28th June 2015 observed farewell to its Secretary General Yoro Njie
who has been recommended by the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) to
officiate at the 16th FINA World Masters Championship 2015 at a press gathering
held at the University of the Gambia law faculty hall in Kanifing. The
championship will be held in Kazan, the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, between
5 and 16 August 2015.
Yoro is the first Gambian ever to be appointed
by the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) to officiate at the world
masters championship.
Speaking at the event, Bakary Jammeh the
Assistant Secretary General of the Gambia swimming Association expressed
delight for Yoro’s appointment as an international technical official. Jammeh
described Yoro as a young man who has the knowledge and the attitude to change
lives. ‘His appointment doesn’t come as a surprise to me, he said. Jammeh later
called on the nation to support swimming and implored for more success in the
sports.
Amadou Danso, 1st Vice President of the
Association thanked FINA for recognising the efforts of Yoro Njie, saying it
could have not come at a better time this. I have seen determination and
courage in Yoro, and he is on the verge of being a scholar, Danso said. Arfang
Jobe, technical Director of the Association echoed similar sentiments with
Amadou Danso.
Russia is proud and excited to host the 2015
FINA World Championships and the 2015 FINA World Masters Championships in
Kazan. This international event will promote aquatic sports in the city and the
Republic in general, along with promoting the national goal of healthy
life-styles and a legacy of youth oriented sports activities for the future of
the country.
Kazan has now developed the most advanced
sporting infrastructure in all of Russia and has one of the most advanced
Aquatic facilities in the world. These facilities are already built for the
2013 Summer Universiade, providing sustainable economic impact for decades to
come and for local and international events.
Hosting the World Championships will create the
opportunity to elevate the sport to higher levels of prominence within Russia
and a chance to produce a new group of international champions in the
traditions of the many great Russian swimmers of the past.
PROFILING
MR. YORRO NJIE
Going by his academic qualifications and professional
experience, it is of no doubt that profiling Mr. Yorro Njie is no easy task.
A good bachelor’s degree holder in Management and series of
IT qualifications has placed Yorro on solid academic grounding to work or
pursue higher degrees if he wishes. No doubt, he works as an Administrative
Assistant under the School of Information Technology & Communication, The
University of The Gambia.
Knowing him from tender age, I saw in him determination for
academic growth. He has that desire and passion for academia. Yorro is on
course to becoming an accomplished scholar in his chosen field.
In terms of leadership responsibilities, Yorro held more than
a dozen ranging from president, secretary general, senator, chairperson,
coordinator and vice president. His leadership qualities are unique, coupled
with his negotiation skills making him a distinguished personality especially
in student union circles. As former vice President of the University Students
Union, he represented students at the senate level, the highest academic decision
making body of the university. This is a prestigious position reserved for
people of distinguished record of achievement like him. During his days at the
University, Yorro had earned the respect of his peers and the admiration of his
superiors.
In the area of swimming, Yorro has outstanding administrative
skills. He held the highest position of responsibility. Similarly, in the area
of martial Arts, he did not only practice the Art, but took positions of
responsibility at the national and international level making him a known
national figure. He is no stranger in both swimming and martial Arts among
other sports.
His outstanding sportsmanship at home, made him recipient of
many international awards. He travelled to more than half a dozen countries
from Europe to Asia and Africa. He did not only participate in international
championships but win medals and accolades. He puts his country’s flag very
high in all his overseas engagements, a mark of patriotism. Like other young
people with the opportunity to travel and stay abroad, it has never occurred to
Yorro to think about staying in Europe or refusing to come home. This is a
charitable attribute that made him a respectable person.
Such a person with both academic and professional
qualifications combined, is very attractive to many organizations and companies
in Europe. But Africa and the Gambia need him more. He is very conscious of the
fact that this country needs the brains of her sons and daughters to
develop. Yorro therefore does not
represent a brain drain for the Gambia but brain gain.
What is really amazing about Mr. Njie is his creativity in
thinking and innovation. He is responsible for the conceptualization and
establishment of many associations including the Gambia
Martial Arts and Self Defense Academy, Gambia Swimming Association and most
recently the National University Sports Association.
Therefore, his distinguished nomination as an International
Technical Officer (ITO) to officiate at the 16th FINA WORLD MASTERS
CHAMPIONSHIP in Kazan 2015 is no accident but a well deserved one. He has the
knowledge, skills and attitude that can make him an international asset.
Already, his towering achievements are compelling evidence to argue that Yorro
is a national asset and an international star in the making.
This award is not only for him but the country at large.
By Omar Jarju
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