Bakary Mbye hails sports journalists initiative

In what could be referred to as a successful hosting of the first-ever Memorial Football Tournament organised by the Sports Journalists Association of the Gambia in memory of late colleague Fatou B.K. Mbye who died on October 31st after a brief illness, the father of late Fatou B.K. Mbye, Bakary Mbye was extremely delighted at what he described as a wonderful initiative by the country’s media fraternity.

"I am really delighted to see tournament of this nature being staged in memory of my late daughter who was so close to my heart. Thanks to the wonderful initiative by the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia," said Mbye, who was speaking to this reporter in an interview at Latrikunda Upper Basic School (LK) on Tuesday.

"This has gone a very long way in trying to recognise and remember the significant and valuable contribution Fatou has rendered in the development and promotion of sports in the country before her departure," Mbye reiterated.

The late Fatou has served in various capacities such as a s being a sports journalist, coach, Youth Coordinator, among other important roles she spearheaded during her stay with us.

She has gone forever but her memory will still remain fresh in our minds, noting that it’s one of these reasons that the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia decided to come up with a Memorial Football Tournament in her honour.

Bakary Mbye who is still struggling to come to terms with the sudden departure of his late daughter used the opportunity to congratulate the sports journalists for hosting and lifting the two-week football tournament.

But he was impressed with the outstanding performance of the journalists' goalkeeper Alasan Mballow, who made several world class saves to deny Youth Ambassadors any chance to break through as he guided his journalists side to their first-ever championship title to make history in their 2-1 win in Friday’s final, courtesy of goals from Amadou Manga and Lamin Drammeh of Unique FM and the Point Newspaper, respectively.

"I would like to thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other to ensure a successful staging of the tournament," he stated, and then appealed to the sports journalists to set the next edition to 19th December to coincide with her date of birth.