The Gambia’s Football Normalization Committee led by Minister of Youth and Sport Alieu K. Jammeh yesterday landed at the Banjul International Airport after a successful visit to FIFA in Zurich.
Speaking to reporters, shortly after their arrival at the Banjul International Airport yesterday, the committee’s interim chairman Alhagie O.B. Conateh said he was impressed by the decision taken by FIFA, which was why they went.
All is now well for The Gambia, Mr Conateh said, adding that it was thought The Gambia was going to be band, which would not have been good for the country. This is because FIFA considers it an affront when a government is thought to be interfering in the affairs of football.
Mr Conateh added that in the case of The Gambia, the country’s football association was dissolved for “good reasons” and that FIFA came out with the standard pronouncement of sending first a warning, that if the country did not comply in restoring the GFA the nation would be band from participating in sports.
But when the committee put up a strong case to prove the dissolution of the GFA, FIFA then realised that the action taken by the country was justified, the interim committee chairman noted.
Mr Conateh further revealed that FIFA would be sending its officials to help them in their duty to push football further in The Gambia.
It was a good visit, which all Gambians should be happy about, he said, adding that FIFA was so impressed by the Sports Minister in his presentation during their meeting in Zurich, which actually caused FIFA to change its intention of banning The Gambia.
He also reaffirmed that the Normalization Committee will ensure that their task is achieved and everything put in order within the six months they are expected to normalize the country’s football affairs.
