Thereat, the station officer was Captain Dodou Joof.
He gave me some serious 36 "cuts" and sent me home with an admonition that I don't ever return.
Well here comes the funny part, six days later I walked into his house at Police Lines with Bambo Fatty and the first question he asked me was, "Du yov la noha barki Dameba.
“I reluctantly and lowly said yes so Bambo and the rest would not know.
Ever since Cappi have been great friends, worked together in track and field during my stint as the best writer for The Gambia News Bulletin.
His dedication and commitment to the development of Gambian Track and Field is nulli secondis, nobody has done it better than him.
As the only Gambian Athlete that ever made it to the finals of the Commonwealth Games with a 21.5 seconds record that stood for some thirty years; Cappi (a name he derived from being Captain of the Gambian Track team) has given all he has to developing Track and Field and I mean his personal resources to the expense of his family. He once confided to me.
The only way to develop our Youth to become model citizens is do all we can and spend as much time as possible with them and teach them right.
‘I vividly recall these words during a conversation at the Independence Stadium.
In a nutshell, this is Cappi's life, he's a faithful servant of our country and not too many, can stand in the same line with him. Jerrejef Joof ak Nyoho Baaye.
Today, because of his contribution to African and World Track and Field, Dodou Joof remains an outstanding and key member of many international track associations around the world.
or over fifty years, he has led Gambian track and field, with integrity, honesty and decency. He is the only reason and I say aloud, the only reason why Gambian track and field is where it is.
During my time covering the sport, he alongside his friend Bamba Njie, brought up great track stars like Copral Ceesay, Saul Faye, Omar Faye, Banana Jarjue, Peter and Paul Ceesay, Abdoulie Barry, Caroline Briggs,Malleh Wadda, Dado Jah,Ricard Gomez, Orland Apollo Johnson,Mary Samba, Victoria Decker, Bakoto Mboge,Sherrifo Mboge, Haddy Njie, Francess Jatta, Jabou Jawo, Binta Daffeh, Amie Ndow, Awa Jeng, Bello Njie, Abdourahman Jallow Oil, Ebou Conateh, Modou Faye Night, Dawda Loum, Georgianna Freeman, Adiatou, Ajatta, Dawda Jallow, Saikou Ceesay and many more that would later become national stars in the sport.
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