Coca-Cola Company on Friday 26th March 2010 presented 60 footballs to the Ministry of Youths and Sports. Among the 60 donated footballs, 10 footballs were meant for the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while the other 50 footballs were meant for the Senior Secondary Schools across the country.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the Independence Stadium Board room on Friday 26th March 2010, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youths and Sports, Mambanyick Njie, on behalf of the minister and the Ministry of Youths and Sports in general thanked Coca-Cola Company for their contributions towards the development of sports in the country.
He also said that the partnership between the Ministry of Youths and Sports and Coca-Cola Company has gained momentum during the FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola trophy tour, which he added, was successful.
According to Mr. Njie, it is for that reason that the management of Coca-Cola and the Ministry of Youths and Sports, has come up with a more formal partnership in the development of sports and football, in particular.
He also said that the partnership is also in recognition of gaining excellence in sports in helping athletes to realise their potential to participate in local, regional and international competitions.
He also stated that the Ministry of Youths and Sports would continue to collaborate with all national sports to ensure that our athletes are well-prepared to compete in competitions for personal and national upliftment.
Sarja Sambou, the Human Resource, Public Affairs and Communication Manager of Coca-Cola Company said Coca-Cola is synonymous to football all over the world, adding that this is manifested in the fact that for so many years, Coca-Cola Company has been in partnership with FIFA to organise World Cup football tournament every four years at various levels.
He also said that Coca-Cola Company has always given special consideration to the development of grassroots football at schools and academy levels in order to tap and nurture talents.
According to Mr. Sambou, "Coca-Cola Company has decided to come into strong collaboration with the Ministry of Youths and Sports, to help develop football in The Gambia, particularly grassroots football since the future of football in the country, largely depends on how much resources are being put into developing grassroots football."
Mr. Sambou finally said that this partnership was amply demonstrated in the last Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy tour to The Gambia.
Other speakers included Ebeneza Amoh, the Corporate Service Manager of Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Bun Njie, the Chairman of the National Sports Council and Malang Jassey, Director of Youths and Sports, who chaired the presentation ceremony.
