The Gambian government, in conjunction with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, recently launched a rural finance project in Brikama as part of their contribution to the encouragement of microfinance business in rural areas.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor of Western Region, Lamin Sanneh, urged the commercial banks to reduce interest rates in order to encourage microfinance business in The Gambia. He hailed the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for establishing the project in Brikama which, he said, will contribute to the development of business not only in the town but in all of Western Region.

For his part, the Chief of Kombo Central, Dembo Santang Bojang, hailed the government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development for their benevolent contribution to the development of the country and urged the people of Brikama and its surrounding villages to make good use of the project.

The trial of the Babylon 94, which began since April 2008, is yet to progress into a full-scale trial. Yet again on the resumption of the case last Tuesday 26th August 2008 from where it was left, it was adjourned until 9th September 2008.

On the resumption of the case on Tuesday at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, before Senior Magistrate Edrissa Mbai, the State Counsel, Lawyer Buba Bojang, applied for the State to be given some time, adducing that the State was preparing fresh charges.

He maintained that the said charges were almost ready, promising that the case would proceed at the next adjourned date.

However, the accused persons were all in court, but their counsel, Lawyer Antouman Gaye was not in court.

The accused persons were previously charged with a three- count charge of arson, being armed in public, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh recently remanded one Lamin Camara a driver in custody until the next adjourned date on charges of inefficient breaking system and careless driving.

On count one, according to the particulars of the offence, on 16th August 2008 at Farato village the accused Lamin Camara drove a motor vehicle with registration number BJL 9961D when the rear breaking system was not functioning.

On count two, the accused person on the same day, place and time drove a motor vehicle with registration number BJL 9961D without due care and attention thereby causing an accident.

He denied the charges.

He is expected back in court today.

On Friday August 15th 2008, Daru Gift FC emerged as Super Cup champions of Brikama. They defeated Berewuleng 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the normal playing time.

The match was keenly contested and was marked by a display of skills, talents and interested football.   It attracted a large number of spectators from Brikama and its surrounding areas.

Nfamara Sanneh of Duru FC opened the scoring in the 46th minute and six minutes later; Abdoulie Fofana of Berewuleng made it 1-1.

The game headed straight to penalties which ended 5-4 in favour of Daru Gifts.

At the end of the exercise, Daru were awarded the championship trophy and a cash prize of D3, 000. Berewuleng collected a consolation prize of D2, 000.

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Edrisa Mbai recently discharged one Mass Jeng following the police Prosecutor’s application to withdraw the case against him.

Mr Jeng had been alleged to have stolen the sum of  2,358,068 dalasis, while being posted at Jiboro Customs post.

The defence counsel objected to the prosecution’s application, arguing that the prosecution did not advance any reason for the withdrawal of the case.

However, the presiding magistrate overruled the defence objection and discharged the accused person.

Football enthusiasts in Brikama will converged at the Cannan Multi-purpose Centre on Friday August 15th2008 to witness the 2008 Brikama super cup final between league champions Berewuleng FC and Darugift sponsored by Western Union.

League champions Jazz FC and knockout winners Banda Bi will also contest in the Bakau super cup final on Friday.

Meanwhile, Late Pa Jobe clinched the 2008 Gunjur Nawettan tournament after defeating Gepadg FC 2-1.

In the results of other matches played over the weekend, Gamcel defeated Madina United 1-0, Ouchapola drew 1-1 with Nas FC. Nyokoyors beat Jannekoto FC 2-1.

August 5th will forever remain in the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts in Brikama and Western region in particular. This day marks the first qualification of a team from Western Region, Brikama United, to the FA Division One League since the establishment of the GFA in 1952.

Western Region had produced, and still produces, great soccer stars for elite clubs like Wallidan, Real De Banjul, Hawks, Armed Forces and Steve Biko to name but a few but were never blessed with a team of their own in the league.

Football greats like James Freeman, Karalang Jatta, Star Janneh, Star Jallow, Michael Demba, Alieu Badara Jarju, Malang Jarju who used to ply their trade in the above mentioned clubs are also iconic figures in old time teams like Saraba, Justice, Kutejungbulu in Brikama and Dabanani in Gunjur.

Brikama qualified after thrashing another Western Region side Nema United of Nemakunku 2-1 in a fiercely contested match. Brikama’s Alagie Bah headed in the opener in the first 15 minutes of the game through Modou Susso’s pass. Nema almost dashed Brikama’s hopes of qualifying when Abdoulie Bah capitalized on his opponents’ defensive blunder with a ballistic shot for an equalizer in the 53rd minute.

Brikama’s new entrants Modou Sowe and Ebou Cole brought tears of joy and sorrow on the faces of Brikama and Nema fans respectively when the former fired in a rebound from the latter’s shot which had been saved by Nema’s goalie Saikou Sonko in the dying minutes of the game.

With 32 points and one more match remaining for Brikama against another Western Region team Jambanjelly, who are relegation threatened, Brikama are looking forward to the First Division with hopes of staying in the league and clinching trophies after their first season.

The Head Coach of second division giants Brikama United, Lamin Kah Bojang,has expressed optimism that his team will gain promotion to the GFA First Division League this year.

He made these remarks while speaking to Pointsports at the teams training ground at Mahaad Senior Secondary School Football Field in Brikama.

He said, “ the boys are determine to ensure that we are promoted to the GFA First Division League this time around after failing to qualify last season. We were not lucky and lost the second spot to Samger FC on goal difference with 33 points each. I think it is very important to avoid what happened last year by losing in our final game against Ham Ham. This dashed our hopes on making it. I am aware of this fact and will not encourage it to happen again,” he stated.

Brikama United are currently leading the table with 29 points, a single point ahead of fellow contenders Talinding United with two more matches to go.

They will meet third place holders, Nema United in week seventeen matches and struggling Jambanjelly in the final week of the 2008 Second Division matches.

Week 17 Fixtures

Tue 05/08/08Nema Vs Brikama United-Stadium

Tue 05/08/08 Ham Ham Vs Flamemins -S/k West

Tue 05/08/08S/kunda East Vs T/United-S/k East

Wed 06/08/08 Kaira Silo Vs Y/Africans -S/k East

The Brikama Magistrates’ court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two accused persons Tijan Sano and Fanding Barrow and their detention until the next adjourned date for their failure to appear in court.The court also revoked their bail.

The four accused persons Tijan Sano , Fanding Barrow , Musa Kuyateh and Kangmadi Njie were being tried on the offences of consipracy  to commit a felony and stealing. They denied the charge.

Accordng to the charge, the accused persons on 18th August  2007 conspired and broke in to the office of Kafuta Farm with intent to commit a felony and therein stole one air conditioner valued at D7000.

The case has been adjourned to 5th September .