The inauguration of the center was in recognition and acknowledgement of Sey’s service to the Olympic movement in The Gambia, and for his tireless efforts and contributions rendered in the promotion and development of Gambian sports, especially football.
The event held at the Relax SaHel Fitness Center at Kerr Serign along the Senegambia highway, brought together family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers.
Speaking on the occasion, Omar Sey thanked Relax Sahel Recreational Complex for the recognition. He said the honour was to be shared among many other people he had worked with in sports development in the country over the years.
“I could not have achieved all what I have without certain individuals and institutions,” he added, “I dabbled in almost everything; I had the passion for sports.”
“I would be failing if I don’t say that I have made all the success I made in sports because of other people, as well as in the administration of sports,” he said, adding that he received also tremendous support from the clubs.
Sey urged all sports authorities to make unity their watchword, and to unite in the interest of the development of football in the nation, and to remain steadfast.
“Let honesty and perseverance be the watchword; with sports you can do everything, but you cannot do it alone,” he pointed out. He further urged collaboration and commitment, hard work and for people to have the same objective.
The citation read by Relax SaHel head Alhaji Abdoulie M. Touray outlined the significance of honouring people before their demise. He said any nation or village without an elder is like “a well without water.” It is only in sports where you have an army of volunteers, Touray said, adding that he regarded Omar Sey as “someone who has impacted so much” in their lives. Lamin Cham of The Standard newspaper chaired the ceremony.
