With
The Gambia hosting the Central African Republic (CAR) in an international
friendly in a little over 10 days in Banjul, the Scorpions could be wearing
ordinary jerseys bought from the local market in its final test game ahead of
the resumption of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Algeria in
September.
This
is because, Gambia Football Federation (GFF) sources have told this medium that
after more than nine months in his custody, the minister of Youth and Sports,
Henry Gomez, has to date, refused to hand over several cartons of football
equipment he received from former National Team sponsor, Multimedia Gateway
International (MGI) on behalf of the Federation.
GFF
sources further intimated that the Federation wrote to the Minister in May,
2017, informing him and at the same time inviting him to the official handing
over of the said equipment but to its dismay, when it was broadcast on the
national broadcaster GRTS, it was stunning seeing Minister Gomez and the
Executive Director of the National Sports Council, Marcel Mendy, receiving the
equipment on its behalf without the knowledge of the GFF. “To date, the
equipment are in the possession of the Minister at his house in Brufut, even
though he promised on five separate occasions to hand them over but we are yet
to receive any,” our sources intimated further.
Our
source indicated that last time the country’s women team played against Guinea
Bissau in Bissau, GFF bought jerseys from the local market to dress the players
and they also spent nearly a million dalasi on their transportation and
allowances coupled with the purchase of the jerseys. “With the senior team also
playing CAR in Banjul on March 23, we are set to spend over D3million from the
coffers of the Federation on the players’ tickets, accommodation and allowances
and buy jerseys for our players because the Minister is holding on to our
equipment due to reasons best known to him. Despite our financial constraints,
we are getting used to spending on our various National Teams now,” our source
added.
In
another development, our GFF sources claimed that Minister Gomez has travelled
to Germany on two separate occasions on the pretext of securing the services of
a coach for the National Team without the knowledge of the Federation. Our
sources added that it was when he failed to make any headway that he engaged
The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) to help in securing a coach
through the Olympic Solidarity.
However,
our sources added, the NOC told him in no uncertain terms that it would not be
a party if the Federation, as the beneficiary, isn’t part of the arrangement
from the beginning and it was only when the local press published information
with regard to his futile search for a coach that he formerly informed the GFF.
The
GFF has since replied this week, expressing its consternation, shock and dismay
in the manner in which the search for a coach is handled and with regard to the
actions of the Minister since his appointment, towards the Federation.
The
GFF letter, our sources disclosed, also reminded the Minister the several
correspondences sent to him with regard to the Ministry’s decision as flouting
several clauses on the contract it signed with the previous holder of the
coaching position. The Ministry has failed to pay the previous coach’s salary
from July, 2017 and two years gratuity on the deal, our source revealed.
The
Minister was unavailable for comments but a football pundit who spoke to this
medium on condition of anonymity said Mr. Gomez could have been the best
minister in the Barrow cabinet if he had watched his steps and did not involve
himself in a fight geared towards serving group interest instead of the
country.
The
pundit expressed disappointment with the continuous lack of cooperation between
him and the Federation even after the intervention of the Executive, thus
alleging that an inference can be drawn that his dealings could be compromised
due to his actions. He therefore, called on him to work closely with all
national associations in the interest of the country and its athletes.