As competition set to kick off Friday
Abdoulie Mbye, a Gambian-based in Sweden and sponsor of the annual Gorr Gorr Lu football tournament usually held at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium in partnership with the Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO), on 20 December 2013 presented some sports items to the committee.
The items included 6 giant trophies, 180 medals, football boots, footballs, and CDs.
The tournament, set to commence on Friday 27 December 2013 at the East Park, will this year be played in memories of the late Sainey Jammeh and the late Kebba Jobe.
Speaking at the presentation, Abdoulie Mbye said the initiative is undertaken to contribute his quota to the development of sport in the country and to also provide competition for clubs.
He added that some of the materials were given to him as gifts while he bought the others.
Mr Mbye said they in the Diaspora should not just sit and fold their hands but should do something to help develop sport at home.
He said his wish is to sit in Sweden watching the Gambian League on television as Gambians at home are watching foreign leagues.
He pointed out that the reason for staging the tournament in memory of the late Sainey Jammeh and the late Kebba Jobe is to show his appreciation to their contribution towards sports development in the country.
“It is a must that we should contribute towards the development of the nation,” he went on, saying: “We are one Gambia and should be united.”
While saying the initiative is to complement Government’s efforts as “it cannot do it all alone”, Mbye also called on teams to play the competition fairly.
Baboucarr Sohna, public relations officer of SESDO, described the materials as expensive, saying “there are people who can do it but are not doing it”.
He therefore thanked Mr Mbye for helping in the interest of the community. “Let him be a role model to everyone,” he added.
“If we have a handful of people emulating Mr Mbye we will soon see our sports develop, PRO Sohna said, adding that they cannot pay him but can only to pray for him for long life, good health, strength and power to continue doing good deeds.
Isatou Touray, wife of the late Sainey Jammeh, thanked Abdoulie Mbye for choosing to stage the tournament in memory of her late husband, saying they cannot pay the Good Samaritan but could only pray for him.
Tijan Jobe, speaking on behalf of the late Kebba Jobe’s family, said the late Kebba Jobe contributed a lot towards the development of sport in the country.
He said he was pleased to see a tournament being staged in his memory, adding: “It shows that Abdoulie Mbye has not forgotten Kebba Jobe’s contribution to sports development.
“This is appreciated and we call on other Gambians to emulate Abdoulie Mbye,” he concluded.
Oumie Hairy Jaye, Gambia Armed Forces female player, in her vote of thanks, said the first trophy she won with her club was through the Gorr Gorr Lu tournament and did thank and applaud Mr Mbye.
Meanwhile, the female teams set to compete in the female category are Abuko United, Interior FC, the Gambia Armed Forces and Immigration, and the teams to vie in the male category are Ball Conge FC, Medina FC, Russ FC and Loekholland FC.
The previous winners of the competition are Balajo Academy in 2008; Ebo Town in 2009; Male Medina and Female Abuko United in 2010; Male Loekholland and Female Abuko United in 2011, and Male Ball Conge FC and Females of the Gambia Armed Forces in 2012.
The presentation ceremony was chaired by Baboucarr Njie, who said the tournament began in 2008 featuring only male teams until in 2010 when it was made both male and female.
