The social and environmental studies club of Bakoteh Upper Basic School in Region One recently held a two-day talent show at their school compound.

The programme of activities included a debate on the topic ‘polygamous marriage is more important than monogamous marriage’ between Grades Seven and Eight. There were also drama plays, poem presentations, eating competitions, a fashion parade and traditional dancing.

Grade Eight spoke against the motion that polygamous marriage is more important than monogamous marriage and emerged as the winners. Ms Oully A. Touray of Grade Eight was the winner of the fashion parade competition followed by Amie Sonko and Yusupha Fofana took first in the eating competition.

Speaking to The Point shortly after the show, the chairman of the organising committee, Mr. Nfansu Jaiteh, a teacher at the school, said that the show was designed to allow students to come together, interact and exhibit their talents in various ways. He also said that the show aimed to foster unity in the school.

The talent show was witnessed by the social and environmental studies club of Latrikunda Sabiji Upper Basic School in Region One of KMC and a large audience from the nearby settlements.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the President has described the bi-annual Kanilai International Festival as a thundering success, saying that this year’s edition was unprecedented in the sense that the turn out was impressively overwhelming.

Mr. Ebrima JT Kujabi told journalists that President Jammeh should be, as a matter of prudence, heartily commended for coming up with such a groundbreaking initiative, adding that it is increasingly becoming evident that the Festival is a powerful tool to promote not only tourism but also sub-regional integration.

“Organising such a successful mega cultural bonanza is not a small feat,  thus the President must be given the accolade  for the initiative,” he said.

The State House press boss went on to pay tribute to all those who contributed towards the total success of the event.

The Gambia has declared her readiness and interest to participate in a four-team international football tournament to be organised by the Ivorian Football Federation for the Under 17 categories, reports reaching the Observer Sports desk have revealed.

Seedy Kinteh, President of The Gambia Football Association, confirmed the receipt of an invitation from the Ivorian Football Federation for the proposed international football tournament which is scheduled to take place between August 8 and August 16, 2007.

Kinteh told Observer Sports that the Ivorian Football Federation will shoulder the team’s transportation and accommodation costs, adding that the composition of the delegation should not exceed 25.

Meanwhile, a total of 29 players, most of who are from the defunct Under 17 team, have been called up for collective training under the guidance of the Egyptian coach Tarik Siagy.

18 players are expected to make the final list that will travel to Abidjan for the keenly-awaited championships.

List of invitees

Name                           Club

1. Kebba Sidebeh        Bakau Utd
2. Alagie Nyabally        Bakau Utd
3. Alagie Fadera          Real
4. Lamin Badjie           SK East Utd
5. Abdoulie Mbye        Sait Matty
6. Baboucarr S. Savage Armed Forces
7. Alhagie Bun Gaye     GPA
8. Ebrima Camara        Bakau Utd
9. Matarr Jobe             Real
10. Abdou Njie             GPA
11. Ebrima Sanyang      Sait Matty
12. Buba Findy Jammeh  Brikama Utd
13. Domingo Manneh   Sait Matty
14. Ousman Jarju        Steve Biko
15. Mustapha Jatta      Hawks
16. Ousman Marong    Hawks
17. Ebrima Kinteh        Bakau Utd
18. Amadou Sanyang   Real
19. Paul Jatta              Hawks
20. Babucarr Badjan     Bakau Utd
21. Buba Bojang          Bakau Utd
22. Seedou Bah           Bakau Utd
23. Sainey Sambou       GPA
24. David Sambou        GPA
25. Haruna Jammeh      Samger
26. Ebrima Bojang        Real
27. Sainey Touray        Wallidan
28. Edrissa Jarra           Real
29. Saihou Gassama     Sait Matty

The bi-annual Kanilai International Cultural Festival could serve as a powerful lubricant in promoting sub-regional as well as continental integration through culture, agrees Mr. Yusupha Bojang.

According to Mr. Bojang, if the spirit of unity, oneness and sense of belonging that pervaded the air throughout the latest edition of the festival is anything to go by, then there is a light at the end of the tunnel in our quest for African unity.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper, Mr. Bojang pointed out that the level of public interest in the cultural extravaganza was so impressive that its success cannot be captured in cold print.
“The success of this year’s festival is unprecedented not only in terms of turn-out but also the global dimension it had assumed. This is the first time that the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela took part in the colourful event. This did not only add an extra touch to the festival but it had also encouraged and promoted eye-opening cultural exchanges,” he added.

Mr. Bojang thanked President Jammeh a ‘million-fold’ for conceiving and organizing the festival, as in his own words, culture is a bed-rock for any meaningful and sustainable development.

To Mr. Bojang, best cultural practices are a recipe for peaceful co-existence, economic and social growth.
“We can use culture to promote peace among ourselves, spur development and progress. Peace is a priceless commodity and you never know its value until you lose it. All the vices afflicting us today are the direct results of our sheer disregard for our cultural norms and values. This is why the Gambian leader deserves a huge pat on the back for organizing the event that offers eye-opening cultural experiences of a life-time,” he posited.

He did not also forget to recognize the ‘sterling’ contributions of Messrs. M.L. Gibba of GPA, Modou Sanyang of GRTS and Demba Sanyang of NCAC in ensuring the success of the festival.

Sierra Leone’s cultural troupe in the 4th edition of the Kanilai International Cultural Festival has again emerged champions of the famous mystical power competition.

The Sierra Leoneans beat their arch rivals, the Malians, who came in 2nd after a fierce display of real African mystical power.

The Sierra Leonean troupe’s trophy was handed over to them by the Chief Patron of the festival, President Yahya Jammeh, in the presence of Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to The Gambia who was amongst many dignitaries at the closing ceremony of the bi-annual event.

Soon after receiving the trophy, the troupe was jubilating around the festival grounds in their traditional attires with the trophy held high up.

It could be recalled that the Director of Culture of Sierra Leone’s Kolleh Dura Suma who heads the Sierra Leonean cultural troupe to the festival in an earlier interview with this paper vowed that his troupe will retain the title in the famous mystical power competition.

Miss Amie Khan has been crowned Miss Bakau 2007 in a keenly contested beauty pageant held at the prestigious Sunbeach Hotel and Resort in Cape Point, Bakau. At the spectacular beauty parade which was punctuated with live performances by prominent Gambian artists, included Freaky Joe, Jalex, K-Man G, King Salano, among others, Miss Princess Shingle emerged as the 1st Runner-up. Running after her was Miss Tako Camara, while Miss Naffie Jasseh took home the 3rd Runner-up title.
 
Miss Oumie was awarded as Miss Photogenic, Miss Mariama Barry as Miss Entertainer, and Miss Agi Amie Joof went home with the Best African Dress title, while young but pretty looking Miss Awa won the Best Casual title.
 
Mrs. Fatima Jabbi-Soley and her husband, Gambian international Seyfo Soley, were in attendance. Hundreds of people attended this year’s edition, which packed with fun. Bravo to Bycaw and Mr. Williams Brown for a successful organisation of the event.

Rohan Lee, a Jamaican born young reggae star, will arrive in the The Gambia very soon on a promotion tour of his third CD album entitled  “Jah Singing Son”.
Born to the late king of reggae, Bob Marley by an Asian mother, the young Jamaican rising star’s new album calls for the plight of the poor people across the world.
In an Interview with What’s On, Mr. Dee, a member of Icon Sound Station, a Jamaican based recording company, said Rohan Lee is currently in Belgium where he will perform at a summer festival before arriving in the Gambia.

“This is a promotion tour of his third CD Album. The Icon Sound Station established seven years ago, aims to promote positive and conscious reggae music worldwide. Its currently organising “All Africa Tour” beginning in The Gambia, in West, East and Southern Africa” he said.
The Jamaican promoter added that Icon Sound Station has contracted many artists like Rohan Lee, Ras Zamouda, Baba Tundeh, Ras Alkibou, Baby Burns and a group called Kush among others.

According to him, the Jamaican based record company also organised several state shows to promote young artists. “Our main focus is to take reggae to the people of West Africa. Right now, some of the constraints that we are facing is a lack of sponsorships to bring the Jamaican artist to the country to perform as reggae is so popular in The Gambia. Mr. Dee continued that, this young star is very popular in Europe as he regularly attends shows, and is also a music maestro who plays some instrument professionally.

“He writes music and composes his lyrics himself. The people who love reggae music will surely love Roha’s music. He sings exactly like his late father, Bob Marley. His first album was really wonderful and we are expecting a mega successful tour this time around,” Mr. Dee concluded.

Tonight all roads lead to CaDO office opposite Standard Chartered Bank in Westfield where Ryu Kunda Company Ltd will organise a major musical show featuring Dr Oluganda and other exciting voices from the Gambia. 

In a chat with this paper, Bamba Khan, the co-ordinator of event said during the musical night Ryu Kunda Company Ltd will take favourable advantage of the event to launch a new state-of-the-art musical gadget.

"Also we will be selling our materials such as embroidery, fashion goods, Ginseng and products and lots more," said Mr. Khan. He added that the entrance fee to the programme is free of charge.