Gambia
Athletics Association president Dodou ‘Capi’ Joof was on Saturday 5 November
2016 elected as president of the Gambia National Olympics Committee.
Capi,
who was elected at a congress held at GNOC conference hall , will lead the
bureau for the next four years.
Mr
Joof secured 21 votes beating Pa Alieu Jallow and Lamin King Colley to the helm
of affairs, who got 8 and 11 votes respectively.
He
replaced Momodou Dibba, who prior to the elections confirmed he was not going
to run for the post after serving 2 terms.
Other
elected members of his executive include Beatrice Allen who was re-elected
unopposed as 1st vice president; Lamin Kabba Bajo as 2nd vice president;
Abdoulie MB Jallow as Secretary General and Ousman Abou Wadda, who was also
re-elected unopposed as treasurer.
David
Haffner, Anthony Tabbal and Bai Dodou Jallow were also elected as
representatives of Olympic sport.
Mary
Samba Christensen, Momodou Drammeh and Harriet Ndow were nominated as executive
members in accordance with the GNOC constitution while Jonny Gomez and Adama
Jammeh were also co-opted into the GNOC Board.
Alh.
Momodou Dibba, outgoing GNOC president, in his remarks, expressed appreciation
and thanks to his former executive, staff, national associations, NSC and MoYS
for their collaboration and support.
He
added that it was important that they had elected capable people.
Mr
Dibba took time to recognize the efforts of Gambian athletes in the recently
concluded Rio Olympics, saying: “Our Olympiads did extremely well.”
He
expressed his willingness to work with the current president and his executive
in ensuring that The Gambia is represented by at least 10 athletes in the 2020
Japan Olympics.
He
went on to urge all to close their ranks, embrace each other with dignity and
work as a family.
He
finally urged all to give the new executive the support they deserve.
President
elect Dodou ‘Capi’ Joof, in his statement, began by thanking delegates for
their trust and confidence in electing them.
He
said his election was also as a result of their belief and commitment to their
addenda towards the improvement of the country’s national sports associations
and their vision to have individuals and the sports team participates in the
2020 Olympic games.
He
noted that it is now time for all of them to come together and work for
national sports development, particularly the athletes in collaboration with
government.
They
will continue to work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the NSC and other
stakeholders, according to him.
“It
is only through collaboration that our sports will develop and the name of our
beloved country will soon be a force in the international sporting arena,” he
said.
He
assured all that even though the road maybe challenging they would not shift
from their purpose, saying their future is uncertain, but shaping “it is
definitely certain” and he was convinced they were on their way to a lot of
improvements that would get them to something more rewarding for Gambian sport.
He
said they will reach out to all corners of the country through member
associations, adding that they have endeavoured to build the capacities of
sports managers, coaches, and most importantly equip athletes.
The
election was commissioned by Kwamla Manly Elliot as presiding officer assisted
by Alh. Pap Saine, Life President of the Sports Journalist Association of The
Gambia, and Cherno Omar Bobb, sports editor of The Point newspaper.
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