Dr Jackson made this pledge after the football field was named after him by the Wellingara Youth Development Association spearheaded by Karafa Jobarteh as Chairman on Sunday.
The occasion was graced by the National Assembly member for Kombo North, Village Development Committee of Wellingara, representative of the Ward Councillor, villagers, Government officials, scouts, Wellingara Police Unit Security, football fans, youth of Wellingara, and a cross section of the community.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the naming of the Wellingara football field after the name of the Gambia Ambassador at Large, the chairman of Wellingara Youth Development Association (WYDA), Karafa Jobarteh, commended the Gambian Ambassador at large for honoring their invitation, saying his personal appearance at the Wellingara football meant a lot to the entire community of Wellingara, as that was the first time they had received such a high-profile personality at the Wellingara football ground since the formation of the association.
He said the WYDA was formed three years ago, with the primary objective of bringing youth together to share their experience and skills. Hence the association thought it wise to engage the youth through sport.
According to him, as a result of that the association set its focus on youth development skills and sporting fraternity.
He added that after recognizing the importance of football and its impact on youth development, the association organised three communities for football competition, which at the end of the day will select a representative from each of the community to represent the association to the third division league.
He further went on to say that as a result of the numerous assistance Dr Jackson has rendered to foster the development of WYDA, they deemed it fitting to name the Wellingara football field after the Gambia Ambassador at large.
They are grateful to Dr Jackson for his contribution, he also said, while commending him for his philanthropic assistance to the youth of the country.
Dr Jackson is not only supporting in sport, he is also giving a handsome helping hand to other development projects in the countryin a bid to support the President vision 2020, he added, while also thanking the Wellingara Police through the Station Officer for providing them with security and other assistance towards the development of the association.
“We are very much grateful to Dr Jackson through the Wellingara Alkalo Alagie Babou Ndour, for being very supportive in ensuring Wellingara have a lot of developments,” Mr Jobarteh said.
Dr Jackson, for his part, began by expressing surprise for naming the football ground after him.
“This is a surprise to me; I never expected this from the Wellingara Youth Development Association,” he said.
He said further that as Gambia Ambassador at large he has been trying very hard to complement the efforts of President Jammeh and his Vision 2020 in areas he could. He encouraged the youth to develop their skills in youth innovative and skill development projects as well as nurture sense of voluntarism.
He then commended the association for such a wonderful initiative in naming the football ground after him.
It is a big challenge and trust bestowed on him as an Ambassador at large, he pointed out.
This is a sign of solidarity among the community of Wellingara, particularly the youth fraternity, in ensuring development is brought to their doorstep, he said.
He also described the initiative as a welcome move and pledged to upgrade the Wellingara football field to a mini stadium.
Looking at the commitment of the youth in Wellingara and their unification, there is need to support them in their development activities, he said, adding that he would do his utmost best to get the football field upgraded to a Mini Stadium.
Dr Jackson said he would do whatever it takes to support and complement the efforts of the President.
Also speaking at the football field, was the National Assembly member for Kombo North, Pa Jatta, who was full of joy and appreciation to the Gambian Ambassador at large for accepting this invitation.
He hailed the Wellingara Youth Development Association for such a wonderful initiative and challenged them to keep on the momentum.
