Fatou Mbye lives on

As is always said, death can strike anyhow, anywhere and at any time. It is in this sense that we live in danger of death every working moment - that is, the fact that we are alive means that we shall die someday. It is for this reason that philosophers, over the ages, have urged us to live each day as though it were our last day on earth.

When the late Fatou Mbye passed away late last year, many thought her legacy would be easily eroded, but this has proven not to be the case. She is being remembered day in day out. A testimony to this fact is the just-concluded memorial football tournament dedicated to her.

Organised by the Sports Journalists Association of the Gambia, the memorial tournament has been described as the most successful one ever organised by the Association. Knowing Fatou when she was alive, death has come so soon for a young woman of her age, whose contribution to the development of sports in the country cannot be over emphasized.

Fatou's instrumental role in the development of football, especially female football, will go down in the history books of the country's football. But knowing Fatou's background, her contributions to this initiative was not a surprise. Her father, Mr. Bakary Mbye, a Physical Education teacher, has and continues to play a pivotal role in the development of grass-roots football in the country.

We would like to commend the Sports Journalists Association of the Gambia for the initiative. We would, however, urge them to make it an annual event. This will, no doubt, put Fatou's legacy on a pedestal for the future to see.

Our congratulations also go to the Sports Journalists Association for the victory, which saw them clinch the trophy after a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Youth Ambassadors of Peace in Friday's final at the Serrekunda East Mini-Stadium. Interior was awarded a trophy after edging pass KMC 1-0 in the female category.

Although gone, Fatou's legacy will remain clear for everyone to see and appreciate.

May her soul rest in perfect peace.

"When you have told anyone you have left him a legacy the only decent thing to do is to die at once."

Samuel Butler