The Gambia Wrestling Association (GWA) on Saturday re-elected Mattar Jarju, the incumbent president of the association, for another four-year term in office.
The election, held at the Friendship Hotel at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, brought together representatives from the seven regions with each region having two participants to vote on their behalf.
The incumbent president, Mattar Jarju, won the presidential race following the withdrawal of his former vice president Abdoulie Bojang during the nomination session.
Abdoulie Bojang revealed during the nomination period that he would not contest in the election against his incumbent president because of their brotherhood, adding if the incumbent had not contested, he would have stood in for the seat and that he had the confidence the incumbent still had the capability of running the office for another four-year term.
Abdou Shylon was elected as the vice president, Habibou Nyassi secretary general, Awa Njie assistant secretary general, Yankuba Jatta treasurer, Sulayman Gaye assistant treasurer, Aino Jarju auditor, Matarr Saine public relations officer, and Musa Ceesay chairman of the organizing committee.
However, during the nomination of the vice president, the incumbent president nominated the current vice president, who was expected to nominate the outgoing vice president who was still interested in the post. Instead of declining his nomination for the post, the current vice president, to the surprise of the outgoing vice president, paved his way to secure the post.
Speaking to reporters after the election, the outgoing vice president Abdoulie Bojang said it was a surprise to him to be abandoned by his “brother” during the nomination period after he had relied on him all along.
However, he said he had taken everything in good faith and would continue to pray for the success and development of the association as well as for the new executive to be able to take wrestling to higher heights in The Gambia.
For his part, the president, Mattar Jarju, thanked God and the electorate for re-electing him as the president of the GWA. He promised to “work much harder” in developing wrestling in The Gambia.
