The Gambia government has given a cheque amounting to GMD11,100,000:00 (Eleven Million and One Hundred Thousand Dalasi) to the Scorpions as their qualification bonus for securing qualifications to their maiden African Cup of Nations finals.
The presentation ceremony, which was held at the State House on Monday, was presided over by the President Mr. Adama Barrow. The cheque was received on behalf of the Scorpions by the Team Manager Mr. Ousman Drammeh and it is to be shared amongst the players and staff that participated in the historic AFCON qualifications.
The Gambia Football Federation delegation to the Presidency was led by the President Mr. Lamin Kaba Bajo and also included the First and Second Vice Presidents Mr. Bakary K. Jammeh and Mr. Ebou Faye respectively. The General Secretary Mr. Lamin M. Jassey and some key staff as well as technical staff of the Scorpions were also in attendance.
Delivering a statement on behalf of Football House, Mr. Bajo expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to President Barrow for the gesture accorded to the Scorpions. He noted that President Barrow’s gesture manifests his interest in sports and youth matters in the country. He said the GFF is aware of the giant strides government is putting into sports and football in particular. “Under your leadership, we celebrate the achievements in football and we must thank Your Excellency for the resources injected into the game hence the GFF cannot do it alone,” he affirmed, noting that more is even required especially with the huge financial requirements needed for the AFCON finals.
Mr. Bajo further recognised the efforts of the past and present football administrators as well as players for laying the foundations for today’s success. “The national team has taken a long journey in terms of resource mobilization but with the company of the government and our partners, that is why we are all celebrating this achievement today,” he added. “We must not forget our past legends like Biri Biri and all the others who made their efforts to qualify The Gambia but could not.”
He further emphasised that The Gambia will take part in the tournament not as participants alone but competitors and thus remarked that both technical and administrative preparations are ongoing. He disclosed that a local fund raising committee will soon be launched to mobilise the resources required for the team’s participation ahead of the tournament.
In a similar vein, the formal presentation of a GMD2,500,000:00 bonus given to the U-20 team for their third place finish at the African Cup of Nations in Mauritania in 2021 was also held at the Presidency. The team was represented by the Young Scorpion players and the technical staff. Again, Mr. Bajo thanked President Barrow for the magnanimous gesture accorded to the Young Scorpions.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, thanked President Barrow for receiving the National Teams despite his busy schedule. He noted that the results of the senior National Team, is an indication of government’s huge investment in sports. “As a government, we are committed to the cause of developing sports and President Barrow recognises the efforts of players both at the U-20 and senior National Team level and that is why this reward is been given,” he said.
Minister Badjie nonetheless assured the GFF that the government, through his Ministry, will continue to lend its hand in the team’s preparations ahead of the AFCON finals, adding that it will do its utmost in terms of resource mobilisation.
Speaking on behalf of President Barrow, Tourism and Culture Minister Hamat N.K. Bah felicitated the various national teams for their sacrifices to the country. He said the government is aware of the task undertaken by the Scorpions to qualify the country to its first AFCON finals. “You brought glory to the country so God will reward you for the great sacrifices you have done to your country,” he remarked.
He said President Barrow is very much committed to the youth and sports development hence his initiative to set up a sports levy meant to finance sports in the country. He congratulated the players and thanked the leadership of Football House for the hard work and dedication to the country. He, however, advised the players to remain law abiding and be patriotic.
