The Gambia Golf Association (GGA) on 30 August 2013 held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Green Mamba Restaurant in Kololi.
Speaking at the AGM, Ebrima Jawara, president of the GGA, thanked the Almighty Allah, for giving them good health to witness the AGM.
“The last 12 months were the most trying for the association, as we faced numerous challenges from within and externally that almost destroyed the association and the future of the game of Golf in The Gambia,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he noted, they stood firm with support from dedicated members and their benefactors and sponsors, and in the process recorded many successes.
He then took the opportunity to thank fellow committee members for holding the fort, such members as Anthony Tabbal, Modou Drammeh, Tijan Kuyateh, Pa Famara Jatta and Binta Ceesay.
“In June 2012 we successfully organised the 2012 Gambia Open and Pro-Am under the Chief Patronage of the President of the Republic of The Gambia,” he went on, saying the event’s main sponsor was the Gambia National Olympic Committee followed by other sponsors including Lady Njaimeh Jawara, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Gacem Co Ltd, Gambia Tourism Board and Banjul Breweries.
“Our Secretary General, Modou Drammeh, was appointed a Bureau Member of the Gambia National Olympic Committee. This was a manifestation of the respect GGA has garnered in its relatively short existence,” he said.
“In August 2012, the Fajara Club Main Committee decided to expel GGA President Ebrima Jawara and Pa Famara J.J. Jatta on baseless allegation and against natural justice,” he said, adding: “The GGA in its capacity as the national governing body passed resolutions suspending all sponsored golf tournaments at Fajara Club until both expulsions were unconditionally revoked.”
He however said the suspensions still stand.
“Efforts by the National Sports Council, the Gambia Tourism Board and other stakeholders to resolve the issues between the GGA and Fajara Club, though noble, were frustrated by certain members of the club,” he said.
“Consequently, golf in The Gambia has suffered as sponsors have decided to stay away from the controversies.”
This, Mr Jawara noted, had reflected in their income, which dropped from GMD1,249,000 in 2011 to GMD285,975 in 2012.
He also said they would work with the new committee at the Fajara Club to come to an amicable solution for all stakeholders of the sport.
In September 2012, GGA donated towards an initiative of the Gambia Tourism Board to purchase and deliver farming implements towards H.E. the President’s “Back to the Land Call”, he noted.
“One of our founding committee members, Alhaji Drammeh, left the committee in October 2012,” he recalled, saying: “His contribution to the setting up of the GGA and administration of gold is well appreciated and duly noted.”
The GGA president noted that in April 2013, they commissioned nets for schools programme, adding that the first school to benefit was Bakau New Town Lower Basic School.
He added that the school was also given practice balls to practise with and golf clubs, saying that after the rainy season they will build a place to be practising in the school.
“Pa Famara Jatta has been particularly helpful in teaching the kids at the school for free, sometimes assisted by Tijan Kuyateh,” he noted.
“In April 2013, under the sponsorship of the Gambia National Olympic Committee, the GGA president, the secretary general and the treasurer attended the Working for Golf International Golf Conference, organised by The R&A at the Fairmont Resort in Scotland.
The trio met senior personalities from the various institutions running golf worldwide.
This was the first time The Gambia was represented at an international golf conference.
Anthony Tabbal played in a tournament organised for The R&A and other potential sponsors for support towards the construction of a golf course in The Gambia.
They have agreed in principle, subject to certain conditions being met, which the GGA Committee is working on, he also said.
He specially thanked members of the media for their continued support and coverage of GGA events and issuing of press releases during the past year.
“Special thanks go to Baboucarr Senghore of GRTS, Baboucarr Camara of Daily Observer, Cherno Omar Bobb of The Point Newspaper and Tombong Jadama of Kick Off Gambia.”
“Let me conclude by saying that all in all, 2011 was a difficult, but good year for Gambian Golf,” said the GGA president who is also a keen golfer.
“As always, we at GGA are not contented with just basking in past glories, losing sight of the challenges and threats ahead.”
In concluding, he said: “Fellow members, with your continued support, I am hopeful that at next year’s AGM, I will stand here in front of you once again to share more good news.”