The
Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday celebrated the country’s football
personalities and those that contributed to the development of football in the
Gambia since the inception of the Federation in 1952.
The
program that gathered football stakeholders, followers and contributors was
held at Oasis Apartment in Senegambia.
This
was the first ever initiative by the Gambia Football Federation to celebrate,
recognize and award those who made immense contribution to the development of
football in the country in the past several decades.
The
awardees include: Alhagie Biri Biri Njie who was awarded the GFF President’s
Award. Football Personality of the Year was awarded to late Alhagie Omar Sey
and the Lifetime Achievement Award went to late Alhagie Ousman B Conateh.
Meanwhile,
the main hall of the National Technical Training Center (NTTC) was named after
Alhagie O.B Conateh with the main NTTC building named after late Ousainou Njai.
The Administration building was named after late Alhagie Omar Sey; and the NTTC
Artificial pitch named after Alhagie Omar Saho of Brikama. Alhagie Biri Biri
Njie was named after the newly built GFF pavilion and the artificial pitch.
Speaking
during the awards night, the President of The Gambia Football Federation, Lamin
Kaba Bajo said the awards ceremony is meant to recognize, honor and celebrate
persons that have extraordinarily contributed to football in the Gambia, either
as administrators or players.
“It
might be difficult to quantify the size of those who have dedicated their
resources, knowledge and time for the development of the game in the country,
but I’m very certain that the Awards Committee have devised mechanism which
made our work much easier,” he said.
He
went on to add in a sad voice that the night was important and joyful but also
incomplete due demise of certain individuals who could not witness the day of
recognizing and celebrating their outstanding achievements in the development
of football in the country.
He
revealed that the award being the first edition, they have decided to recognize
all the past Presidents and General Secretaries of the then Gambia Football Association
and now Gambia Football Federation who have served the organisation with
selfless service, dedication and total commitment.
For
his part, Ebou Faye GFF 1st Vice President who also double as the Chairman of
the Awards Committee said it was not an easy task to identify potential
awardees in a fast growing sports like football, especially when looking at
development and contributors since establishment of the federation over 60
years ago.
“The
GFF Awards has now been established and will from henceforth be an annual event
to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the tremendous contributions of
individuals in football development, he said.
