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18 arrested for defying moratorium on football

Aug 19, 2013, 9:28 AM | Article By: Lamin Cham

Eighteen youths from Niani Sukuta in the Central River Region, CRR North, have recently been arrested for defying the moratorium on football matches in farming communities during the rainy season, the national broadcaster GRTS radio announced over the weekend.

According to the radio, quoting CRR Governor Nganyie Touray, the youths were arrested after ignoring a series of warnings he gave them through their chief and alkalo.

‘‘The move isin line withPresident Jammeh’s call for youths to take agriculture seriously and help their parents on the farm in order to combat hunger and live a decent life,’’ Governor Touray told GRTS.

The embargo on seasonal football tournaments called Nawettan in the provinces during the farming season was declared by President Yahya Jammeh during his 2013 dialogue with the people tour.

The decision was aimed at promoting youth participation in agriculture with a view to expediting the country’s drive towards food self-sufficiency.

Governor Touray urged the youths to heed the President’s call and embrace agriculture, adding that it is the only way forward to eradicating hunger.