Ms Beatrice Allen, 1st vice president of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) has described a day-long Women and Sports Festival Forum as the biggest highlight of the entire festival, saying “it was at that forum the awareness was created.”
A one-day forum designed to integrate Women and Sports through Football was held at the GFA National Technical Training Centre in Yundum on December 17. It marked the beginning of the first-ever Women and Sports Festival on Gambian soil.
The forum, attended by some of the country’s top sporting dignitaries including the
Speaking to reporters at the end of what was referred to as a hugely successful festival, Beatrice Allen said the biggest highlight of the festival was the one day forum, saying “it was at that forum that all the footballers made up their minds to show their happiness, talents and their commitment to their community.”
When asked whether there was any low point in the festival, Ms Allen refused to be drawn into whether there were any dramatic lows during the period. She responded by saying, “is there any low point? I don’t think there was any low point in this festival.”
“I am extremely satisfied with all the happenings at the festival because everything went well, everybody played their part, particularly the GFA who are extremely the best sporting association in the country. And, for the media, you did extremely a good job, only God will bless and pay you because what you did was not for the GFA or GNOC or anybody else, but for the development of the country.”
She added that she is beginning to see a media that is responsive to the needs of the general populace coming on board to take full responsibility for information dissemination in The Gambia.
Ms Allen also heaped praises on the participating female teams, for what she described as their fantastic demonstration of skills, while comparing them with the great footballers playing at the highest level.
She was joined by her boss at the GNOC, Alhajie Momodou Dibbaa, in describing the festival a complete success.
Dibba went on to extend appreciation to all those who had contributed in one way or the other to the successful organization of the festival, and Samsung company in particular for what he called their honest partnership in such a worthy cause.
Women and Sports Festival chairperson Mary Samba-Christensen, who also graced the final, said the ambiance and sportsmanship in the stadium has been spectacular.
She hoped that the GFA will continue to empower the newly-launched Women and Sports Commission so that the country can reach higher heights.
Mrs Samba went on to heap praises on all those who joined them in celebrating the event, including Samsung company for their partnership.
