Investigation into zonal final Standoff at its peak

The Special Task Force set by The Gambia Football Association to look into the incidents that marred the final of the 2009 Baby Muhammeh Yahya Jammeh's perpetual tournament between Bakau and Serrekunda East, has been busy investigating the reports since last week.

The seven -man committee has been holding daily meeting to go into every details surrounding the impasse.
Speaking at the inauguration meeting last week, the secretary General of The Gambia Football Association, Mr. Jammeh E.K. Bojang, firstly on behalf of The GFA Executive, thanked members of the Special Task Force (STF) for their full attendance and answering to the call of The GFA in such a positive way. Mr. Jammeh recalled the recent final of the Muhammed Yahya Jammeh's Perpetual Tournament on Sunday December 13th 2009 between Bakau and Serekunda East, and the incidents that marred the event.
He pointed out that it is in view of the unfortunate spectacle and the impasse that resulted for the determination of the problem and of an official result of the match that The GFA has found it necessary to summon a special task force. In doing so, The GFA places all reliance on the quality of the committee having regard to its individual and collective competence that an excellent job would be done and a report submitted within the shortest possible time.
He cited the committee's terms as follows:
1.     To investigate the overall organization of the final match of the tournament;

2.     To conduct a post mortem on the behavior of teams officials and supporters;

3.     To analyze the comportment of the match officials;

4.     To make recommendation s to the Executive Committee on appropriate measures to take in resolving this impasse
The secretary General concluded by wishing the committee all speed and success in their deliberations and assuring them  of all necessary back-up services as and when requested.

The chairman of the Task Force Committee, Mr. Cherno B. Touray thanked Mr.Jammeh for his welcoming remarks, and through him the entire GFA Executive for reposing such trust and confidence in his committee. He gave every assurance to the GFA that the committee would do everything with its power to get to the bottom of the said incident and to make appropriate recommendations for the consideration of The GFA.
He called the assignment a national responsibility and thus the need for the committee to work utmost diligence and sincerity to uphold the confidence reposed in them and to help resolve the impasse to the satisfaction of disappointed and appalled public.

Mr. Touray, a retired diplomat and former Director of Youth and Sports, noted that in a fine discipline such as sports where good organization and personal discipline are fundamental pre-requisites, it is shameful that such prestigious and high profile tournament with all its good intensions should be allowed to deteriorate to such an ugly spectacle as was witnessed the previous week at the Serekunda West Mini Stadium.
The chairman while accepting his leadership mandate impressed on committee members the need for care and tact in the handling of this matter which he described as both delicate and sensitive. This important fact, he emphasized, should be borne in mind throughout deliberations having regards to what is at sake for the future of the tournament and the development of the game of football in this country. He said that winning in sports should be seen as an honor and not a duty, and in that sense we should not allow violence to continue like a real cancer that undermines the game's overriding objectives of development, friendship and fair play.
With those opening remarks, the committee commenced its work in earnest. General discussions were held on the nature and organizational aspects of the tournament following which the committee decided to request for the following document:
1.     Referee's report

2.     Match Co-coordinator's report

3.      Match Commissioner's report

4.     GRTS video footage of the match

5.     Minutes of the Organizing Committee before/after the final

6.     Reports by media houses

7.     Correspondences between The GFA and Tournament sponsor