The event, also saw the signing of a contractual agreement between the two sides at a ceremony held at the proposed reserved site located east of Lamin Central Market, where this sporting facility is to be built.
The move comes following numerous development challenges that need redressing through concerted efforts of government, Non-governmental Organizations as well as partners.
Welcoming the gathering, Bakary Bojang, a representative of the Alkalo of Lamin, in describing the event as historic, acknowledged that the move marks the beginning of a transformative journey as it will not only greatly enhance the physical landscape of the community but also foster unity, health and endless opportunities for generations yet unborn.
‘Sponsors have always been powerful tool in bringing people together, nurturing talents and inspiring excellence. Today, we take a significant step towards creating a landscape where these values can thrive.’
To that end, he extends heartfelt gratitude to management of MENMAR Sporting Academy, adding that Lamin is a community that always prides itself with youth development initiatives.
Jammeh Bojang, chairman of Lamin Village Development Committee (LAD-COM), lauded this partnership agreement with MENMAR Sporting Academy, pointing out that what they have seen so far makes them believe that the project is a serious one.
He thanked the academy for choosing Lamin, promising that the people of Lamin will make sure that their expectations are fulfilled.
"This is one of the steps in our journey and we will always work with you."
He recalled the numerous meetings staged to make the project a reality and thanked all those who played a part in making it a reality.
To that end, he thanked the entire Village Development Committee of Lamin for their dedication and sincere service to the community.
Giving a synopsis of how the sporting academy would look like, Lamin Kanteh, Chief Executive Officer of Eye Africa TV, who is also the force behind MENMAR Sporting Academy, expressed delight that his dreams has become a reality and thanked the West Coast Regional Sports Association for their pivotal role in the whole process.
Kanteh recalled that when he first conceived the dream, what posed a challenge to him was a land where they would use as a football pitch.
To that end, he recalled that they contacted almost all regions from Fonis in the West Coast to North Bank and Central River Region to scout for the right land size they needed.
"But as you know land continues to be an issue in this country. If I want venture into any project, I want to make it one a productive partnership with Gambians rather than only look for my personal interest."
In that vein, he thanked the community of Lamin for opening their doors to them to develop the sporting academy, for which he said, they remain ever grateful to the community.
He noted that if they hadn’t got that land size they would have gone to elsewhere depriving the youth of Lamin of this ambitious project, saying within this sport space of time they have 50 kids from Lamin and its environs, who on daily basis come to MENMAR for daily trainings.
"So, if we have to go elsewhere, some of these kids would not have the opportunity or even achieve their dreams of becoming sports men and women.", he added.
To this end, Kanteh assured the people of Lamin that the project would be so exemplary that many Gambians will a cue from it and invest in the country.
Borry Darboe, chairman of MENMAR Sporting Academy Board, expressed similar sentiments, while calling on businessmen to invest in the country’s local sports.
He acknowledged that Lamin is a household name when it comes to Gambian football in view of the quality of players it has produced in the past.
Darboe equally observed that it is time people invest in local sport development as the country has abundance that if harnessed properly would yield dividend.
Lamin Touray, chief of Busumbala, lauded all those played a part in making it a reality.
Other speakers included Sanna Ceesay, president of Lamin Sports Development Association, Bakary Bojang, president West Coast Regional Football Association and Lamin.
Yusupha Gomez, secretary general of the Lamin Village Development Committee (LAD-COM), who chaired the event, lauded the development as timely and said the project would greatly enhance and promote sports and other athletes in the community and beyond.
Meanwhile, this proposed multi-purpose sporting field will have a standard football pitch with grass, athletics track, dressing room, offices, a borehole, among other facilities.
