NSC Suspends Gambia Boxing Association

Following Controversy Over Milan Championship

Following the controversial and widely-publicised arrest and detention of six Gambian youths, forming part of a delegation of the Gambia Boxing Association, who were arrested in Madrid, Spain, the National Sports Council (NSC), yesterday issued a statement suspending the Interim Executive of the Gambia Boxing Association as of 30th September 2009.

This decision, the statement added, was reached at because the council was not satisfied with the Gambia Boxing Association that they had clearly established critical facts requiring assess connected with the recent trip which had been the subject of recent media reports.

"The National Sports Council requested the Interim Executive of the Gambia Boxing Association, to appear at its recent meeting so as to afford them the opportunity to clear the air over the said media reports," the statement stated.

Media reports early last month indicated that six Gambian youths forming part of a delegation of the Gambia Boxing Association were arrested and detained in Madrid Airport and later deported back home.

Mamodou Drammeh, Malick Singhateh, Badou Secka, Lamin Gibba, Sulayman Colley and Duga Jack, were said to have been arrested in Madrid, while heading for Italy where they were supposed to take part in a boxing championship.

The incident, which attracted media reports, has been described as the latest in a series involving young Gambian boxers.

According to the NSC statement, "the suspension is to allow the Interim Executive of the Gambia Boxing Association, to sort out the vital information required to ensure that they have acted totally above board in the movement of athletes and officials between Banjul and Milan for the AIBA World Boxing Championship".

"Until the NSC fully investigated the issues at hand and allowed for non-prejudicial intervention to establish the facts, the Gambia Boxing Association will cease to function and participate in any competition, both locally and internationally," the statement said.

The National Sports Council further stated that on satisfactory conclusion of its investigation, it will review the suspension and ensure proper elections and re-organisation of the Executive of the Gambia Boxing Association occurs.

This action, the NSC added, is taken on the basis of the authority of the National Sports Council Act 2000.