We mourn the passing of Lalo Samateh, a journalist colleague who devoted his entire lifetime to our noble profession – journalism. Throughout his journalistic career, he used his voice to foster journalism. Even after retirement, the old man couldn’t resist the lure of the microphone. It is for this reason that he stayed on at the GRTS, working as a broadcaster.

If the true measure of a man’s life is how he has impacted on the lives of others, then Lalo Samateh was truly a great man. Through his programmes, he influenced the lives of so many people for the better. By living an exemplary life, Samateh has shown that true greatness lies in not how long we live but how well.

The family of the late Samateh can therefore take pride and joy in the legacy that their man has left behind. It is Shakespeare who says that the evil that men do live after them but the good is often interred with their bones. But the lives of men like Samateh apparently negate Shakespeare in that it is their positive qualities that are remembered by those they have left behind.

For those of us in journalism, Samateh’s death represents a huge loss that will take a while longer yet for us to get over. For sometime now, we have been losing some of our veterans – Modou Musa Secka, Baboucar Gaye, and now Lalo Samateh. We are prematurely being deprived of the benefit of their guidance. This is a sign that we have to learn as much as we can from our veterans while they are still around.

Samateh’s life should also serve to inspire young journalists to give their unalloyed commitment to the profession, even though it is not a money-spinning profession. Unlike most professions in the world, nobody goes into journalism for the money.  If you do, you’ll be disappointed. It is a profession that feeds on passion, driven by the quest for social, political and economic progress.

Seen in this light, Lalo Samateh led a full and satisfied life, having helped in his own small way in shaping the destiny of this country. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Following the recent sad demise of their President (Kebba Njie ‘Master’) and Vice-President (Saihou Ceesay) of blessed memory, the Gambia Football Veterans Club met in extra-ordinary session on Sunday September 21 to fill the relevant vacant positions as well as few newly created positions. The full composition of the organization is provided below. They are to complete the current executive term which expires 3 June 2009.

It would be recalled that the Veterans Club was established with the primary objective of promoting football development in The Gambia.

Ways of accomplishing their objective, range from providing material or training support to young players, internal programme support to league teams, and confidence-building on the national teams. In this last regard, it would be of interest to report that few selected Veterans have in the past travelled with our national teams to give management advice and front-line support. One of the leading agenda items of their Sunday meeting, therefore, was to lay down plans for effective contribution in the upcoming qualifiers between Gambia and Senegal. As was reported in the 2nd September edition of this paper, the Gambia Veterans have already made an advance visit to Senegal by way of a football friendly against Senegal Veterans team. During the visit both Senegalese and Gambian former national football stars took the opportunity jointly to address the nation in all sections of the media on the strong family ties between the two countries which we should not allow football to destroy. Mention was made of the match of 11th October in Dakar with prayers and all hopes that the game would be played in a spirit and environment of peace and true sportsmanship. It would be recalled that the Senegalese Veterans also had made a prior visit to Gambia and expressed the same sentiments here.

NEW EXECUTIVE

President               - Amadou Touray

Vice President        -  Alhajie Abdou MC Jallow (also team Captain)

Treasurer                -  Abdoulie ‘Star’ Jallow

Auditor                   -   Alhajie M.L.Conteh

Secretary General   -   Essa Faye

Asst. Secretary       -   Sankare Jawo

Social Secretary      -   Alhaji Mohammed Lamin

Asst. Social Secretary  -   Pa Modou Lowe

Team Manager         -   Baboucarr Joof

Asst. Manager         -   Dodou Ndure

Kits Manager           -    Aki Goswell

Management and Technical Advisers:

Alhajie Njie ‘Biri’; Baboucarr Kah; Sulay Jallow; Lamin Nyang; Kebba Ceesay; Kebba Touray; Kebba Jobe.

Administrative Adviser: Charles Thomas

Kolongba FC lost to a team composed of football veterans in the semi-finals of the Bundiadu  Nawettan.

The Veterans beat Kolongba FC 2-0.  Despite losing in the semis, Kolongba FC gained automatic qualification to the final following unsporting behaviour by Alieu Manneh of the Veteran side. He was shown a red card by the referee during the game and refused to follow the referee’s orders as a result the organising Committee decided to forfeit the Veterans points and gave Kolongba FC a ticket to the final.

In the second semi final,  Bereto FC came from a goal down to squeeze a 2-1 victory out of Bantanto FC.  Lamin Nyani put Bantanto in the lead in he first half.

 Jorbateh Manneh and Aziz Hydara goals in the second half sent Bereto FC to the final.

Kolongba FC will now take on Bareto FC in the final slated for after the holy month of Ramadan.

The report that the Gambian Veteran footballers surpassed their Senegalese rivals in their return match in Dakar brings further cause for celebration following the Under-17 weekend victory over Sierra Leone.

It is very encouraging to say the least, that veterans of the national team are bringing more fire to the rebirth of football prowess and enthusiasm in this country.

According to Team Manager, Baboucar Joof, the match was exciting with discipline and fine sportsmanship on each side. “The team mounted a good series of attacks,” he explained, “but the Senegalese goalie was really too good.” He went further to explain that the agility and competence of the opposing goalie did cause some frustration, and kept the team from scoring three or even four goals in the first 80 minutes of the match and it was not till that time that only one goal was finally registered.”

Manager Joof expressed happiness that the team finally however got the winning goal, thanks to a determined combined attack from Ebou Debuwa and Baboucarr Sowe alias “Laos”.

In giving the background to the event, a spokesman of the Veterans organization indicated that the main objective of the trip was to undertake a joint effort with Senegalese counterparts to start preaching the historical unity and familial relations of our two countries. This is important, it is claimed, in light especially of the impending big match between the Gambian Scorpions and the Senegalese Lions to take place in Dakar on 11th October only four weeks and some days ahead.

It would be recalled that some problems arose in Dakar in 2003 during the World Cup/ African Cup qualifiers of that year, leading to serious fighting and throwing of stones between fans of both sides. The spectacle was indeed ugly and was condemned by all football authorities and people of good sense. Why should two countries of the same  ancestry start inflicting serious injuries on each other because of a football match, however important?!

This is considered illogical also as sports is supposed to join people and not divide them.

It is hoped therefore that the joint effort of the Veterans yields the best results, coming from personalities who are well known and respected in football.

Furthermore, steps should be taken by all authorities concerned to prevent any ugly scenes now or any time in the future. It should be also remembered that there were faults on both sides, and so the matter should be addressed comprehensively at both national levels.

Collaboration between Gambian and Senegalese State and football authorities should be strengthened and maintained throughout the period of the games. Security arrangements should be stepped up.

Importantly the public should be adequately sensitized to respect crowd control and give all cooperation for a successful and trouble-free event. We have also been informed that Gambian football super-star, Alhagi Njie “Biri” was honoured by the Senegalese Veterans association. This calls to mind that it would be praiseworthy if a fitting honour could be given to Biri by the Gambian football authorities and fans. The ‘old hands’ should also try to assist football and young football players in this country.

Lastly, we wish that the Veterans programme grows from strength to strength and spreads as a sub-regional event.

We hope also that the ‘old legs’ can keep up the pressure. Good Luck and Congratulations!

The ongoing eight-team stakeholders football tournament initiated by the Gambia Football Coaches Association, which kicked off last Thursday, has seen a demonstration of equal contenders and interesting performances by participating teams.

On Friday, the Gambia football Coaches shamed a team composed of football administrators. The beat them 3-0. In the second game played the same day the fan club shared points with Security in a goal-less draw.

In the opening game played at the Independence Stadium earlier on Thursday Medical thrashed the Sport Journalist 4-0.

The team composed of football medics is a force to be reckoned with.

Ousman Manneh opened the scores in the 11th minute later, Mbye Bah, Lamin Jatta netted in the second then the third in the 29th and 32 minutes respectively.

Baboucarr Jawara capitalising on a defensive blunder in the 55th minute made it 4-0.

Last evening, as we went to press, the Football Referees were locking horns with Veterans, while the Sport Journalists were meeting Coaches in their second matches.

The Gambian veteran team took the lead in the 12th minute through Malamin Badjie and the Senegalese team leveled the scores in the 24th minute through Omar Sy. Sy scored his second for the visiting team in the 89th minute.

The Gambian team is as follows

BaboucarrSaho GoalkeeperJammeh Essa Faye, Abdoulie Jallow, Lamin Owens, Malamin Badjie, Joe Tennis Gomez, Necola Colley, Modou Jammeh, Pocke Sarr, Akram, Buba Sonko, Habib Mboob, Lang Tombong Tamba, Rambo Ebou Dubois and Pa Ndow.

The Senegalese Team, Mansour Wade, Pape Mbaye, Ama Diop, Ibrima Sy, Moustapha Blek, Omar Sy, Momodou Diop, Mbaye Mousa Mbaye, Abdou Jallow, Sega Saho Muhamed Diop, Muhammed, Diop, Dawda Ba, Jean,Marie Luande, Demba Thioye, Pape Dramme, Aliou Ndiaye and Alajie Sy.

Veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation war vowed to seize the remaining white-owned commercial farms if President Robert Mugabe loses the expected second round of a presidential ballot.

Opposition parties have taken control of parliament for the first time since Zimbabwe won its independence from Britain in 1980, but the results of the 29 March presidential ballot have not yet been officially released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

The reappearance of the war veterans on the political scene, who led the invasions of white farms in 2000 soon after Mugabe lost a referendum on a new constitution, has heightened fears that the ruling ZANU-PF will unleash state violence to coerce the electorate to ensure Mugabe wins the run off ballot.

According to independent assessments, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), received 49 percent of the presidential vote, Mugabe, who has been in power for 28 years, secured 42 percent of the ballot.

The MDC on 4 April filed a High Court application in the capital Harare, to force the ZEC, whose executive committee are appointed by Mugabe, to immediately release the results of the presidential vote.

At the same time ZANU-PF's politbureau, the party's most powerful decision making body, held a five-hour meeting and decided that Mugabe should contest a run off vote for president should none of the candidates attain the 50 percent plus one vote required for an outright win.

The return of British settlers

War veterans chairman, Jabulani Sibanda told IRIN the recent poll was an attempt to take the country back to 1890 when British settlers first occupied the territory.

Sibanda said: "It has come to our realisation that the elections were used as another war front to prepare for the re-invasion of our country. A large number of the remaining white commercial farmers were seen celebrating the alleged victory of Morgan Tsvangirai.

"Results are just figures but an invasion is physical. We will deal with that which is tangible."

Sibanda told IRIN the announcement by the MDC, who claimed Tsvangirai had won the presidential ballot without the neeed for a second round of voting, and before the ZEC - who has yet to announce the results - was provocative.

"As freedom fighters, we feel compelled to repel the invasion. We can not just sit back when there are all these provocations," he said. In 2000 Mugabe turned to former guerillas to save his political career after he had just lost a referendum.

The MDC leadership was not available for comment and were engaged in meetings, apparently concerned with taking over the reigns of government.

In the parliamentary elections Mugabe's ZANU-PF won 97 seats, compared to 99 seats secured by the MDC led by Tsvangirai, while an MDC breakway faction won 11 seats.

Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations, an umbrella body, warned ZANU-PF against embarking on violence as an alternative."We have it on good and reliable authority that there are plans to embark on a retributive and violent campaign before and after the final senate and presidential results are announced.

A second round of voting, according to the constitution, should be held within 21 days, but ZANU-PF has warned that this might be delayed to 90 days because there was not enough money to hold the run off ballot.

"This excuse would not be acceptable given the anxiety that is gripping the nation and given that in essence, such a move would be undemocratic and could create a serious constitutional crisis," said the umbrella group.

Zimbabwe's war veterans are camped outside the conference hall of a critical congress of the ruling ZANU-PF party this week, determined that President Robert Mugabe, 83, stays in office until he retires.

Mugabe, who has led the party since 1977, seemed on the ropes 12 months ago. Last year's congress refused to endorse a resolution for him to remain in power beyond the end of his term in 2008. Moreover, Zimbabwe's economic and humanitarian crisis spelled electoral doom for ZANU-PF, and his rivals knew that only with Mugabe gone would the international community consider bailing the country out, analysts said.

But Mugabe seems to have succeeded in turning the tables on internal dissent, led by wealthy, regionally based political heavyweights, and analysts predict that he will almost certainly be elected party leader and candidate in next year's elections at the extraordinary congress this week.

Mugabe's political comeback owes much to his alliance with the veterans and, more recently, the party's youth and women's leagues. Immediately after last year's congress the veterans began a campaign of pro-Mugabe "solidarity marches" to mobilise local party support, culminating in a "Million man and woman march" on 30 November in the capital, Harare, which ZANU-PF politicians could not ignore.

"The war veterans are being used to intimidate those opposed to the president, and that is a sign that he is not wanted anymore by his colleagues in the ruling party. They are an informal structure being used as storm troopers," said Pedzisayi Ruhanya, programmes manager of the pro-democracy civic group, Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe.

"We will oppose all renegades and counter revolutionaries," chairman of the veterans, Jabulani Sibanda, told IRIN. "We have confidence in our leader and we believe the suffering being experienced is to be expected, because he is reversing unfair economic structures, which, in the past, benefited a few colonial settlers."

Zimbabwe is in its seventh year of recession. It has the world's highest rate of inflation, eight out of 10 people are unemployed, there are shortages of most basics, from food to fuel, and the country's once impressive social indicators seem stuck in reverse. Yet ZANU-PF, under Mugabe, will head into elections, tentatively scheduled for March 2008, riding high.

The chiefs in the countryside, ZANU-PF's heartland, have remained loyal. They control their areas, dispensing food aid, agricultural inputs and patronage - allegedly on a partisan basis - and intimidation means that the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has failed to effectively mobilise in the rural areas.

The MDC is in disarray, split into two main factions, and analysts argue that the likelihood of voter apathy would boost ZANU-PF's electoral advantage.

Zimbabwe's unreformed electoral machinery is also likely to work in the ruling party's favour. A constitutional amendment agreed to by the MDC in September has increased the number of constituencies from 120 to 210 elected seats, but the electoral commission has gone ahead with delimitation without the guarantees of impartiality that the MDC demanded.

Laws limiting public assembly and free speech, described by human rights groups as undemocratic, have not been repealed. "The main issue is that Mugabe is now looking at self-preservation by dying in office, in order to avoid being arraigned before international criminal courts," commented Prof Gordon Chavunduka, former vice chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe.

"But the issue is much bigger than Mugabe," said the Crisis Coalition's Ruhanya. "Even if Mugabe was replaced today, as long as the next leader inherited the existing political structures, with a culture of violence and intolerance, then we might create somebody even worse than Mugabe. What is needed is a democratisation of all state institutions and the political parties themselves."