The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) on Friday February 8, 2019 convened with Gambia Football Referee at the Football Hotel in Yundum to present badges to Gambian Referees that have made up to the FIFA list of International Referees 2019.
Sixteen Gambian Referees have made up the final list and top among them is Bakary Papa GASSAMA who is still maintaining his pole standard at both CAF and FIFA while the women category has two Central Referees
and Two Assistant Referees.
The presentation of the insignias also culminated in a dinner thrown by the GFF to mark yet again the record breaking feat Gambian Referees manifest at both continental and global levels.
Speaking at the occasion, GFF President LAMIN Kaba Bajo and Chairman of the Referees Committee congratulated the Recipients of the FIFA badges for their dedication and hard work to making into the FIFA list. Mr Bajo, a staunch advocate of Gambian Referees development said the country can be proud of its history in refereeing hence according to him the likes of Bakary Papa GASSAMA and those before him have made significant marks at the world stage. “Gambia has a very good record
in refereeing and that feat must be maintained.”
Mr Bajo implored on the men in black to maintain a high standard of integrity, discipline and professionalism while also indulging in the
Women Referees to redouble their efforts hence .”You will all be under the microscope at any point during your games.” He assured the
Referees of GFF’s continuous support at all times.
Earlier, GFF EXCO member and former Referee Alhagie Faye thanked the GFF for the support and encouragement given out to Gambian Referees. He further congratulated the deserved FIFA badge holders for making it
into the 2019 list and advised them to live up to expectations.
The General Secretary LAMIN M. JASSEY and Referees Committee member Dickory Jawo both implored on tbe Referees to work much
harder in order to raise the Gambian flag higher than it is. “GFF attaches great importance to this ceremony and it is traditional that
we present the badges to you in a form of dinner,” GS Jassey said.
Sixteen Referees were certified. Five of the twelve men are Central Referees and Seven are Assistants while two are Women Central Referees and Two Assistant Referees