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Doubts over June 29 football congress, authorities asked to clear the air

Jun 24, 2013, 9:51 AM | Article By: Lamin Cham

Once again, there are increasing doubts that the much-awaited executive committee elections at the Gambia Football Federation, GFF, would go ahead as scheduled.

The elections were postponed a number of times by the Normalization Committee, NC. However, soon after the successful adoptive congress, Omar Sey, vice president of the NC, declared that the elective congress will take place on June 29.

Much recently, the minster of Sports, Alieu Jammeh, told Observer Sports that the June 29 congress would go ahead.

However, the GFF failed a constitutional mandate and to call for nominations thirty days before the congress, arguing that regional structures are yet to be in place.

It took the NC another three weeks to complete regional elections, despite all assurances of a speedy process.

However, as of yesterday Sunday all regions have conducted their election, but since June 29 is around the corner, few people now believe the GFF congress would be held.

A stakeholder at the KMC regional congress yesterday called on the GFF and the Sports ministry to clear the air and avoid further confusion.

The GFF in a recent press release did not specifically commit itself to holding the election on the promised date, merely stating that they are in touch with Fifa on every step of the process, a statement that was swiftly dismissed by critics of the NC as a ploy to ask for another delay.

‘The more they delay this election, the more polarized the situation,’’ another KMC stakeholder warned.

Meanwhile, reports reaching The Point have confirmed the following as chairmen of their regional football committees.

Banjul - Modou Sowe

KMC - Bakary Paco Dampha

Western Division - Abdou Kairm Sey

Upper River Region - Furu Gomez

Central River Region - Numukunda Kanyi

Lower River Region, - Wandifa Kinteh

North Bank Region - Momodou Mbessan (Fifa)