The annual Fanta Science and Mathematics Quiz Competition organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and sponsored by Gambega Limited was on 21 May 2011 officially launched at a ceremony held at the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) Hall.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adama Jumba Jobe, Director of Science and Technology, said it was a pleasure for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to be associated with such a programme, adding that the aim of organising the competition is to help students build interest in Science, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
He stated that they coud only enhance these subjects by advocating for them, noting that they are not leaving out any school for granted, but that the reason they are leaving out certain schools is because they are not doing pure science.
Director Jobe also noted that they have an open door policy for education at the ministry, urging other companies to sponsor their activities.
"There is nowhere in the world that the government alone can do it," he said, adding that this was why they approached Gambega Limited to sponsor the competition.
Felix Gomis, Country Manager, Gambega Limited, said they are aware of their corporate social responsibility to the community, which was why they decided to sponsor the quiz competition, and would continue to sponsor the programme whenever they can.
"This is also about trying to help the students to realise their potentials and contribute to national development as they are our future leaders," Mr Gomis said.
Modou Njie, GRTS Marketing Officer, said the quiz programme has been single out as one of the best programmes GRTS is broadcasting and that this was why they came up with it again.
"There is no country that has developed without the fundamentals of Science and Mathematics," Mr Njie said.
"Gambega Limited has been very supportive of us," he said, appealing to for the partnership to continue and urging other companies to emulate Gambega Limited and QCell.
"It is high time people took responsibility of what they own; they should be able to construct their own programmes and bring it to them and if they fill that it is an interesting program they would go ahead with it."
At the end of the launching, a draw was also held for the participating schools to know their opponents in the competition. Region 1, Group A: Marina International vs Methodist Academy, Saint Augustines vs Glory Baptist and Saint Joseph's vs SOS Senior.
Group B: Nusrat Senior vs Gambia High, Charles Jaw vs Muslim Senior and West African International vs Kotu Senior.
Region 2: Group A: Fatima Senior vs Masrorr Senior and Sheikh Hamdan vs Sefo Senior at Sefo senior on 27 May 2011.
Group B: Saint Francis vs Scan Aid Senior and Botrop vs Saint Peter's at Saint Peter's on 28 May 2011.
Region 3: Essau Senior vs Farafenni Senior and Tahir vs Kayaf at Farafenni Senior on 2 June 2011.
Region 5: Brikama Ba Senior vs Bansang Senior and Amitage Senior vs Kawur Senior at Nasir Ahmadiya Senior on the 3rd June 2011.
Region 6: Diabugu Senior vs Nyakoi Senior and Fatoto Senior vs Nasir Ahmadiya Senior.