As the world's most prestigious tournament, the FIFA World Cup in South Africa draws closer, the Ministry of Youth and Sports under the leadership of Sheriff Gomez, in partnership with Coca-Cola has kicked-off the campaign for The Gambia's contribution towards the FIFA World Cup, which kicks-off in South Africa on Friday.
The solidarity programmes is meant to inform or remind the public that the count down to the tournament, to be held in South Africa for the first time is gaining momentum in The Gambia, despite the fact that the Scorpions are not taking part in the world?s most prestigious tournament.
Given the fact that this is the first time the World Cup Championship is being hosted in an African soil, the AU Conference of Ministers of Sports suggested that African countries should take ownership of the 2010 World Cup in solidarity with the host South Africa.
It is against this background that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in partnership with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of South Africa in The Gambia, Modou S.B. Taal, GAMBEGA, the GFA and the National Sports Council, to embark on a South Africa 2010 solidarity programme, dubbed 7days countdown which has since begun last Friday 4th June, and is expected to end on Thursday, 10th June 2010.
The countdown has also seen the erection of permanent signboards at West Field Junction yesterday under the watchful eyes of Sheriff Gomez, the Country Manager of Gambega Seth Adu-Baah and the Honorary Consul of South Africa, Modou S.B Taal, who did the kick-off at West Field Junction.
The programme will continue today when an impressive number of Gambian people will converge at the Independence Drive/ Clarkson/ Hagan roundabout, as part of the final and the biggest campaign for The Gambia's contribution to the World Cup.
Days numbering from 4th-10th June 2010 will be pasted on the signboard and such one date will be peeled off from the signboards every day to the last day, before the beginning of the world's biggest football event. Gomez further humbly request for the media's participation and support to make the countdown a success.
Speaking to reporters at the occasion, the Honorary Consul of South Africa to The Gambia, Modou S.B. Taal said he is extremely delighted for the initiative set up by Ministry of Youth and Sports, thanks to the support of the Gambian leader.
"We are indeed appreciative of the support the Gambian people have rendered towards the World Cup in South Africa and it is a historic moment for not only the host, but the continent at large," Taal told reporters.
Reports have also indicated that there will be a cocktail in solidarity with South Africa 2010 on Thursday, 10 June 2010, at the Sheraton Hotel at 5.00 pm by invitation only.
