A Truly Shameful Spectacle!

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:18:15 GMT

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

It is extremely disappointing and disheartening to read about the recent scenes at the District Peace Tournament match held in Siffoe in Kombo South. The kinds of scenes we read about have no place at a sporting event or indeed in any decent society. We are always shocked when we read of the dastardly exploits of British football hooligans but now unfortunately we see similar scenes right here in The Gambia. The irony of scenes such as these occurring at a “Peace Tournament” will not be lost on anyone.

We fully support the Kombo South Chief, Sheriff Ajay Janneh, who has expressed his extreme disappointment at the Sanyang-Sifoe clashes.

Speaking in an interview with The Point, Chief Janneh expressed his disappointment in both Sanyang and Siffoe for their ‘brutal behaviour’.

Last Sunday, a match between Sanyang and Kartong was played, which saw Kartong emerge 2-0. The match, held in Siffoe, was characterised by violence, abusive language and stone throwing. According to sources, Sifoe residents were seeking revenge on Sanyang for their attack against them in their match against Farato in Sanyang last Saturday. It is believed the incident resulted in many injuries.

We must at this point commend the military of Kartong barracks and some of the police personnel from Gunjur police station who intervened to try and quell the violence. All reports reaching us indicate they did an excellent job in very difficult circumstances.

While we might like to convince ourselves that this is a new cancer infecting our society we must admit that it is not. This kind of incident will bring back unpleasant memories of similar incidents a few years ago when the Peace Tournament concept had to be abandoned altogether because of inter-fan violence. It also refreshes our minds about the late 1980s football violence between Gunjur and Kartong in what was dubbed the Kombo South District Tournament. We also recall with shame the riots, which followed the Gambia/Senegal match in 2003 and the fine of $10,000 imposed on the Gambia Football Association last year because of the bad behaviour of fans. This incident also of course led to the suspension of a number of key players. We must do all in our power to reverse this terrible trend of sporting occasions being marred by violence. As we have stated many times in these pages, violence has no place in sport. Scenes of the kind witnessed in Siffoe must be made a thing of the past and the wise words of Chief Janneh and others like him must be paid the greatest heed. He said, “This is uncalled-for. What are they fighting for? There is no benefit to be derived from this kind of violence.”

A Truly Noble Gesture!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:51:02 GMT

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Well done to the Janor Group and particularly Sulayman Joof, the CEO and his business partner, Ebrima Faal. Yesterday they donated a large consignment of assorted fire fighting items to the Fire Service at their office at Bundung.

They gave eighty cartons of protective clothing, including boots, gloves, helmets, fireproof jackets and trousers to the Fire Service at Churchill’s Town.

This is a gesture that is truly worthy of emulation and a shining example to all Gambians of the finer aspects of human kind. Our fire service provides a vital service in our community and should be helped at all times by all who can afford to do so.

Sulayman Joof said that the business sector has the corporate responsibility to give back part of their proceeds to their communities. His business partner, Ebrima Faal, said they are duty-bound to give part of their profit to the country to supplement government’s efforts.

It was however very disheartening to hear Mr. Faal say, “We face difficulties in clearing these items even when they know they are for gifts to serve our community. At times we face real difficulties at the customs, they don’t care what and for who one is bringing in these things.”

This situation must come to an end immediately as there is no doubt it is hampering many people and organisations from bringing much need help into The Gambia. People coming to give aid to The Gambia should be exempted from duties and import taxes. Hopefully this situation will change in the very near future so that people like those in the Janor Group who wish to contribute to our national development can do so without suffering financial hiccups at customs.

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A Truly Shameful Spectacle!

A Truly Noble Gesture!