He was well-known and respected in the profession. In 2010, he was invited by BBC to join their team to cover the World Cup in South Africa. He also covered the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022. He was also in Ivory Coast and covered the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Between 2011 and 2013 he served as deputy director general of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS). In December 2016 he was appointed director general of GRTS.
He also served as deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Infrastructure.
After his retirement, he became a media consultant until his demise.
Reacting to his demise, Pap Saine, co-publisher of The Point Newspaper, said he knew the late Malik Jones in 1980 through his boss, Saul Njie who was the chief football commentator at Radio Gambia.
“I worked with him since that date to cover both local and international matches at home and away. He was dedicated and committed to the job. He liked working with me during football commentaries. His demise is a huge loss to the country and will create a vacuum in the field of football commentary,” he added.
Lamin Manga, chief executive officer (CEO) of Taxi FM, said “a huge giant in broadcast has fallen. He used to do commentary for Radio Gambia for many years and used to host biggest shows on any stage to the highest responsibilities in broadcast. He taught and inspired a whole fraternity, generated and played a role from the comfort of his sitting room, giving his audience what he does best. Even from last weekend in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast he was broadcasting matches. ‘Koto’ Malik will be missed.”
