The Minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu K. Jammeh, has described the demise of Mamudou Max Jallow as a great loss to the nation.
Thousands of Gambians and non-Gambians on Sunday paid their last respect to one of Gambia’s prominent figures in the development of Gambian sport.
The late Mamudou Max Jallow was pronounced dead on Sunday morning at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul where he was rushed for treatment after a brief illness.
His funeral service was witnessed by government officials, friends, neighbours and well-wishers amid family members at his home village in Brufut, Kombo North District, West Coast Region, where he was finally laid in peace at the Brufut Cemetery at 17:00 hours.
Minister Jammeh said: “This is a great loss to the nation; he has been a personification of patriotism and loyalty.
“He was so dedicated to his duties, to community service and the connections he made not only to the people of Brufut but throughout the nation.”
The minister said the deceased was everybody’s Max and was known to the whole Gambia, especially to the youth and the sports fraternity through his dedication to work.
Despite his illness, the Minister said further, the late Max was still committed to his work, adding that just recently he and Max had a chat at his office on official matters.
“He had a great vision for The Gambia: this Sunday we were supposed to leave for Dakar, not only for our visa process for Germany, but also to attend a meeting on sports development which was sponsored by the UNDP,” Minister Jammeh disclosed.
“Max is a great loss to us as a nation, but we thank God for giving us Max.”
He added: “If there is any message we can take out of this, is community service, selflessness, volunteerism and patriotism.
“Max did see people as one; he was so interested in helping, especially the young ones.”
Minister Jammeh further urged people to live with the virtues that the late Max had in him and work together as one family to move the agenda of progress and national development forward.
“We needed Max, but God needed him most and he is now gone and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” he said in prayers.
The Council’s Development Officer Fabakary Touray described Max as a mentor, teacher, colleague, friend and a brother, saying Max believed in sharing and working directly with his colleagues without hiding anything.
“Max engaged us last Friday on official work, saying that we should take responsibilities on his behalf before his return,” Fabakary disclosed, saying it is difficult to have such a dedicated leader.
National Sports Council Chairman Alhagie Bun Njie, in his remarks, said the late Max died in his arms, whilst giving appreciation to God for His decision.
Mr Njie also prayed for forgiveness, asking God to grant him Jannatul firr dawsi.
Other sympathizers included the Council’s Desk officer Abdoulie Bojang, the Governor of West Coast Region, and sports journalists such as Babucarr Sey and Sang Mendy.
