“The Gambian national team is playing like a divisional club because it’s formed by players who had the chance to play together since been juniors in the African and World Cup Championships two years ago. And it’s almost the same team that will be performing on the 11 of October in Dakar for the return leg.

“It is no more The Gambia of twenty (20) years ago that is coming to Dakar; to be defeated and go back. They need to win because they never reach this stage of the tournament”, he declare in an interview recently with the RTS National TV.
The Senegalese team being at the third place of the group of six with 8 points (+2) behind Algeria (9 points) and the Gambia with 8 points (+3) also need to win the match in order to qualify.

He declared that his boys are well motivated for a 90-minute match to avoid disgracing the Senegalese football fans, who will not digest a defeat.

He revealed that even the former captain and midfielder Kalilou Fadiga is recalled to consolidate the ambiance of the team like in the old good time of 2002.
Mr N’diaye concluded that he is counting highly on his group since they are conscious of what they should do since the defeat in Algeria.

“Senegal and the Gambia are two brotherly countries with a bloodily relation between the people and the challenge of the game will not destroy their relationship. It’s a football match and will remain that. It should be played with discipline and when the best team wins, the Senegalese and the Gambian people will be behind the winner to push him forward like when the Senegalese victories during the wold cup 2002 were celebrated in the Gambia.
The Senegalese authorities; like the Gambians who have well played their part in terms of public security in the first leg have not the right to fail to secure the Gambians to play and go back home in peace and safety according to CAF and FIFA conventions.

As part of activities marking the 14th anniversary of the July 22nd military take-over, the Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Nancy Njie, last Friday laid the foundation stone of a multi-million Dalasi beach club in Tujereng, Kombo South, Western Region. The need for the tourism facility is predicated on the fact that tourists that come to the tropical sunshine paradise of The Gambia would be thrilled by the availability of such facilities in addition to the de luxe hotels that have for some time been the main focal points of the tourism industry in the country.

Some investors consequently deemed it necessary to come up with something that would give holidaymakers a real feel of the country. One among those investment companies, that is concerned with and committed to ensuring that The Gambia carves a giant status in the tourism sector, is Sparam Gambia Limited.

The facility, named Mangrove Beach Club, will be built at a cost of D225m and will be developed in three different phases.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Nancy Njie, Secretary of State for Tourism and Culture, described the occasion as a milestone in the history of Gambian tourism. “This proposed high quality hotel is indeed a pride to the tourism industry of the Gambia,” she posited.

She underscored the importance of tourism to the socio-economic development of the country and congratulated the investors for their foresight in choosing The Gambia as one of their investment destinations.

“Tourism contributes between 16% to 18% of the country’s GDP. It provides employment to over 20, 000 people. As a result of its economic importance, the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh has the long term vision as stated in the blueprint Vision 2020 of turning The Gambia to a tourist paradise and a major tourist destination through product diversification and quality improvements.”

According to Secy. Nancy Njie, the project will greatly benefit not only the tourism industry but also the local people in general. “This is no doubt a move in the right direction towards transforming The Gambia into a tourist destination,” she said.

For his part, Mr. Thomas C. Hiese, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sparam Company, expressed delight in having the opportunity to invest in The Gambia. According to him, the company feels very proud and delighted to contribute its quota towards the development of Gambian tourism.

Mr. Hiese’s Gambian counterpart, Momodou Jagana, commended President Jammeh for creating the enabling environment for more investors to come into the country.

Other speakers on the occasion included Mr. Alieu Mboge, Director General Gambia Tourism Authority, Hon. Paul Mendy, National Assembly Member for Kombo South, and Mr. Karamo Bojang, the Alkalo of Tujereng.

Also present on the occasion were Mr. Ousman Sonko, Secretary of State for the Interior, Momodou Kotu Cham, Secretary of State for Forestry and Environment, Mrs. Fatou Lamin Faye, Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Lamin Bojang, Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure, among other dignitaries.

Following a string of poor performances in the GFA first division league this season, the 2007/8 Gambia Football Association Super Cup Champions, GPA, will be playing its football in the GFA second division domestic league next season.The results came as a result of bad performances in the first division league this season.

The Gambia Ports Authority was established in 1973 and the core of their players were snatched from Real De Banjul. It became one of the best clubs in the country with players like Goalkeeper Saho, Alhaji Sarr, Head Coach of Seaview, Kabba Ceesay, FIFA Player Agent to name a few. In around 1988/9, the club ceased to exist and in its place came Waterside FC which was the club feeder team.

In 1996, Falcons FC, which won the Banjul Nawetaan, was transformed to GPA FC. The team gained promotion from the 3rd division while coached by Ebou Faye, who also doubled up as player. He scored a brace of goals that secure the clubs promotion to the 2nd division. He coached the team until it was on the threshold of gaining promotion but then left for further studies and Kabba Ceesay took over as the coach. After two seasons, Modou Lamin Fofana (Faraba), the current Caretaker Coach, took over as the coach.  He won the championship in 1998/9 season and FTI trophy.

In 2001, Demba Ramata took over for a season before Ebou Faye took over again for three seasons. Alhaji Sarr, took over in the 2005/6 season and this period could be described as the golden period of the club as they won the league in his first year. They followed this with the Super Cup and FA Cup in his second season. His abrupt departure to Seaview created a vacuum that was difficult to fill.

Analysis of the season:

GPA F C

This is the saddest chapter for someone who has the team in his heart. The club had everything but did nothing. two wins, 14 draws and six losses tell the story of a team too inconsistent to be in the premier league. Ultimately, GPA were not good enough. The players did not have the heart for the fight. They looked like the 11th best team in the league. Hardworking, but without the quality needed to survive. The league table doesn’t lie. The points total shows that they were not good enough. Over 22 matches they didn’t do enough to stay in the 1st division. End of story.

It feels like the end of the world but it isn’t. They have to regroup and get on with life and they should. Football is about character and resilience. It’s how you bounce back. In all honesty, GPA FC cannot have too many complaints. Any team with a record of just 2 wins in 22 games and more defeats cannot hope for too much in a league where competition is now honed to cut-throat proportions.

It’s just difficult to identify a single major reason for the team’s poor performance as I believe there were a comedy of errors and misjudgment analyzing it from the outside. The club Management’s failure to monitor and intervene at the right time was a factor. Sacking the Head Coach, Ebou Joof was a big mistake as the intended objective was not achieved. The club management should always analyze when to sack a coach as it is bound to have a ripple effect on the players. Another problem, I think, is management paying higher allowance to squad players than the so-called ordinary players. This was a destabilizing factor. As squad players normally play less matches than the ordinary players who are always much more committed to the team. This affected the team spirit and created the lack of courage, motivation and character to grind out results when it mattered.

The GPA board must look into this question and find a solution to make sure that the team is back into first division football next season. Some pertinent questions are:

The GPA board must look into this question and find a solution to make sure that the team is back into first division football next season. Some pertinent questions are:

The GPA board must look into this question and find a solution to make sure that the team is back into first division football next season. Some pertinent questions are:

1 Why is the team not winning games?

2. Has the departure of Coach Alhagie Sarr adversely affected the team in its performance and morale?

3.         Are the players totally committed?

4.         Is the sacking of Coach Lukeh the solution?

5.         Is there any difference in the dressing room?

These are all questions that the board of the team need to ask themselves to make sure that the team can make it back to first division football.

Analysis made by Ebou Faye

Analysis made by Ebou Faye

Jaliba Kuyateh and his Kumareh band along with other guest artists will descend on Terranga Beach night club on the 27June 2008 for an evening of musical entertainment. On the 28 June, 2008, the same concert will be repeated at the Joint Officers mess in Kotu to treat kora enthusiasts.

Organised by The Suso Promotional Foundation, the concert is expected to attract a multitude of Jaliba Fans, for the celebration of the weekend event.

Speaking to journalist Pa Modou Faal, the chairman of the foundation, Mr Musa Suso, said the purpose of this concert is geared towards a two days chill-out, adding that this will be Jaliba’ s last performance before his summer tour of Europe

The T eranga event would be under the distinguished patronage of prominent Gambian businessmen, the likes of Mr Saibeh Naso and Musa Sidibeh while that of Joint Officers Mess would be under the patronage of Mrs. Sira sanyang-Tamba, Suwadatou Jallow of IBC and Mrs, Amie Ceesay-Jaiteh.

Mr Suso assured the general public of free transportation after the programmes, and a free bottle of drinks will also be provided to all attendants.

Following bad performances in the ongoing GFA first division league, it seems like the Gambia Port Authority Football Club GPA is really in crisis with only two wins in 16 games played in the 12 team Gambia Football Association domestic league.

The Ferry Boys’ lack of form in the 2007/08 first division league season competition has surprised a lot of football fans and the team fans too after playing 6 games in the second round without a win. The issue is what is going on with GPA FC? Is the sacking of Coach Ebou Cham Joof Luckeh the solution? Is the departure of Coach Alhagie Sarr the cause of damage in the team? Has the arrival of Faraba Fofana not workable? Are the players committed? Are there any differences in the dressing room? All these questions hang like a dark cloud over the team.

GPA was known as one of the best teams in the domestic league with the type of players they always produced. They still they have the same quality of players in the team, with the likes of Sanna Nyassi, Mandou Bojang, Furmus Mendy, Bun Gaye, Hatab Fadera,  Abdourahman Dampha,Hajie Tunkara, Alasan Jarju, to name but a few. With this bunch of players in the team they cant still produce good results, what is happening to the team? The team needs to be focused if they want to stay in the first division league, the technical staff need to do their home work and the players have to commit themselves.

GPA won the 2007/08 super cup and were out of the confederation cup of CAF, and still struggling in the GFA league with 16 games played two wins nine draws and four losses. They have 15points and are struggling at the bottom of the league table. We have been saying that the 2007/08 GFA national league will not be an easy league this season as there is no under dog team, but we expect the likes of  GPA to bounce back in the league, the  team must work together as a team, the technical staff and the team management has to put all instruction in place to see the team get moving.

Results of week 16 of the GFA first division

Sea view 1-0 B/ United, Hawks 1-1 Real, Steve Biko 0- 0 Saitmatty, Wallidan 1- 1 Gamtel, Interior 0-0 Armed Forces, GPA 0- 1 Samger.

Standing table of the First Division League

Wallidan                 30 points

 Samger                  29 points

 Hawks                   25 points

 Real                      24 points

 Steve Biko           20 points

 Saitmatty             19 points

Armed Forces       19 point

Gamtel                  19 points –3

 Sea View             18 points

GPA                      15 points

Bakau United        14 points

Interior                  12 points

  Quarter final fixtures

Fri 13/0/08 Siffo vs Kartong

Sat 14/0/08 Sanyang  vs Tanjeh

Sun 15/06/08 Nyofelleh vs Farato

Randolph Mike, UK based general manager of Taranga Beach Club, was invited in The Gambia since 2004 by the manager of unique FM Radio, Mr Lamin Manga, to contribute his experience in promoting Gambian music in terms of production and recording.

In an interview with Entertaintment last Wednesday,The UK based Taranga Beach general manager has said that his purpose of staying in the country is to promote lots of traditional and international artists that The Gambian entertaintment needs.

The UK based promoter said he has been involved in such  programmes in the UK to help in the development and support of young black artists, adding that he is hoping to do the same in The G ambia. According to him, Gambian music is developing but it needs certain directions. He said his club is specialised in entertainment matters. He revealed that his club is here to unite artists.

 He pointed out, “If I am to promote The Gambian artists in the UK, it would be a general approach that would involve not only black but mixed audiences. I am willing to promote every Gambian artist who is willing to take advice and be promoted to a bigger audience.”

The Taranga Beach club general manager revealed that his club performs both traditional gambian music, salsa, reggae, and other dance music. He said the programmes start every weekend. “I have been doing this for thirty two years as my job,” he asserted.

Jululum Handball Club, a visiting team from Senegal is expected to arrive in The Gambia on Saturday 31st May 2008 to stage a test match with their hosts, Warriors Handball Club of The Gambia.

During their stay, the teams will stage matches in both male and female categories.

Commenting on the level of preparation, Omar Keita, captain of Warriors male side, said they are expecting their friends from Senegal for a test match and his team is fully prepared and hoping to win the game. “We have been training for the past five months and I believe we are fit to win,” he added.

Amie Sanneh, captain of the female side, said both teams played in a friendly encounter in Jululum in which Warriors emerged victorious. She said they are hoping to win it for the second time.

Meanwhile, the executive committee of The Gambia Handball Association, after successfully staging a meeting geared towards organising a handball league, is inviting all interested clubs, institutions and companies to register with the association for the 2008 Handball league.

The committee also wish to inform the public that coaches and referees will be available to offer guidance to teams when needed.

The following people can be contacted for further information Councilor Modou Lamin Badjie on 9900990, Nuha Darbo 7312189 and Fans Club Singateh on 9750018.

Gambian duo Ken Abdoulie Mansally and Sainey Nyassi, who are playing their club football with New England Revolution in the United States Major Soccer League, will be among the club’s star players to watch out in the 2008 US MSL league.

The club is faced with a key question as to who will replace striker Pat Noonan. This was why they went shopping for strikers south of the border during the off-season. But holdovers Adam Cristman and Ken Mansally, plus former Zimbabwe youth international Kheli Dube, are front-runners to complement Taylor Twellman, Spencer Wadsworth, a draft pick from Duke University and Costa Rican Argenis Fernandez are small and extremely active.

According to the club’s website, none of the possible replacements will provide the experience and guile of Noonan, who is one of the key losses of the team. But their sheer speed and youthful enthusiasm will bring a different dimension to the attack.

Mansally’s combination of speed and strength, plus his impressive free kick in The Gambia’s win over Portugal in the U-20 event, caught the attention of scouts. But Revolution coaches were just as impressed with Mansally’s tactical sense and instincts in front of goal.

Only 14 Revolution players performed regularly last season as the team played 39 games, reaching the MLS Cup final and winning the U.S. Open Cup. This time, the Revolution will also be involved in the Superliga in July and August, plus the Champions League. The young forwards and players such as Mauricio Castro, Gary Flood, Amaechi Igwe and Sainey Nyassi will have to gain experience early in the season in order to be prepared when they are needed later on.

Starlight and Flamenins are the lucky teams to have booked their tickets to the 2008 GFA second division league after showing spectacular performances in the just concluded GFA third division triangular tournament.

 Starlight won two of its matches by a single goal margin, 1-0, against Brufut Sanimentering and Flamemins.

Flamemins were second to qualify after losing to Starlight; they bounced back by beating Brufut Sanimentering 2-0.

Both teams are highly experienced in the country’s football league. Flamenins, a one time first division outfit, have been known for producing highly talented players that are now playing at club or national team level.

Both teams will now join the remaining 8 teams in the GFA second division league which is expected to commence soon.

The triangular tournament features teams from Banjul, KMC and Western Region.

Here is a lady who has been in the spotlight in the field of basketball for the past 27 years. Many of her contemporaries have opted out of the game but she still remains resolute in personal development and in the game.

This lady was born in Banjul in 1955. She attended Nusrat High School from 1981 to 1987. The industrious Banjul girl by then had already established herself as a star basketball player. She started her local championship competition with ports authority in 1981.

Those were gloomy days in Gambian sports. The club, due to financial constraints, changed its name to Atlantic Old Stars under Amina Fall Sonko former SoS for sports. This lady we are talking about would discover her full potential as a star when Atlantic old stars metamorphosized into Gambia commercial and development Bank basketball club.                                  

She was nurtured by Coach Mam Essa Gaye, now President of The Gambia Basketball Federation. She became one of the schoolgirls in the national basketball team. Whilst at the club, She won trophies and represented The Gambia in the African club championship.

She traveled with club and country to Mali, Senegal, Budapest and Hungary. Ladies and gentlemen this lady you shall meet soon was aware that there is life after sports. Upon completing high school she joined the Gambia Hotel School and backed a City and Guilds Diploma Certificate in Cookery. She proceeded to UK to study computers 1991. In 2004, my dear lady, a lady of potential and charisma was awarded a scholarship by the GNOC to undergo coaching course in Hungary.