Mass Axi Gye, current Minister of Fisheries and Environment, and former international footballer and sports administrator, was on Saturday unveiled as the Most Outstanding Sports Personality of the year, a prestigious accolade reserved annually for the best of the best, by the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) whose sports banquette is The Gambia’s only elite award ceremony for sport.
Axi topped a long list of other awardees, including journalists, administrators and veteran sportsmen and women who were either inducted to the Hall of fame, or conferred with the Merit list and association and the GNOC presidency awards.
Speaking at the awards banquette, the 15the edition, GNOC president Momodou M. Dibba welcomed and thanked the many institutions who took part in the May Day Sports; the president of the republic for his support to the May Day Sports and overall sports development as well as the award committee for their in-depth research and good presentation of the awardees.
Mr Dibba reminded the audience that the night is significant as it is the day generations of past and present sports personalities are recognised for their contribution to the nation’s sports.
Mr Dibba also thanked the sponsors of the event, Samsung, through their representative in Dakar who flew in to grace the occasion.
After receiving his award, Mass Axi Gye told The Point that he felt humbled but extremely honoured by the award, which recognises his everlasting attachment to football.
“I think this is a great source of joy for me and my family and I would like to be an inspiration to the current and future generation of Gambian sportsmen and women to strive for the development of sports in the country. I thank God for it and shall remain in the service of sports,” said Mr Gye, who remains president of GPA football club and member of the GNOC bureau among others.
The night progressed to award May Day participants with trophies ranging from the most discipline team to the overall winner.
The Armed Forces team was crowned overall winners of the 2013 May Day Sports.
Below is the full list of the categories of awards and their recipients.
Mass AXi Gye, Most Outstanding Sports Personality; Peter Gomez, the GNOC President’s Award; Sang Ndong, Hall of Fame; Victoria Decker, Hall of Fame; Wilson Kaba Joiner, Hall of Fame; and Alhagi Lamin Nyang, Hall of Fame.
Merit List: Kaba Bojang, Ousainou Jallow, Badou Njie (whit), Bura Hali Sowe, Mrs Haddy Njie, Pa Modou K.B. Faal, Gento, and Ade Fowlis.
Infrastructure Award: Serekunda East Mini Stadium
Posthumous Awards: Kebba K.L. Drammeh, Soggie Sock
Association Awards: Mary Decker – Handball; Sensei Muhammed Kaba – Karate; Samba Bayo, Judo, and Njundu Daboe - Softball.
