According to the coordinator and chief organizer of the tournament, Sidi Manneh, a retired Fifa assistant referee, the junior championship was meant to fully recognize, appreciate and celebrate the sterling performances of Bakary Papa Gassama - a true and worthy ambassador of sport and The Gambia
It is also out to maximally engage the youth in productive and useful activities.
Speaking further to our Sukuta-based reporter on the sideline of the Dembadu stadium, Mr Sidi Manneh said the tournament would serve as a dress rehearsal to identify and select players for a team that would represent Sukuta at the regional third division qualifiers.
Manneh further stated that he would use the tourney as a platform to showcase the young talents in Sukuta.
The curtain raiser match between Sevilla and Fulham ended one-all draw. The ten teams vying for the coveted Bakary Papa Gassama’s trophy are Karaba, Golden, Monaco, Fulham, Sevilla, Nema City, Young Sitaba, Rangers, Blaze and Star Light.
The deputy secretary general of the Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Abdou Salaam Jammeh, presided over the kickoff.
