The Minister of Youth and Sports Hon Bakary Y Badjie has on Tuesday 17th November 2020 called on the Scorpions at their Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point to congratulate them on their sterling performance over Gabon on Monday’s Afcon Group D Qualifier held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau where the Scorpions beat the Panthers 2-1.
Honorable Badjie first thanked the Coach, players and the technical team for all the efforts exerted that resulted to their win over Gabon. “As a government, i want to sincerely thank you for all the efforts you put up and we are so proud of your achievement. We will continue to facilitate and ensure that your needs are well secured while we recognize your efforts in this endeavor“. He noted sports as a unified force and thus should bring people together from all background. “Sports unifies every background. Your win has made people jubilate and celebrate without regard to ethnicity, politics, language and whatsoever”.
He said the government will continue to work with the Gambia Football Federation to make things work. “You are doing a great sacrifice for the country and we are aware of that as a government. Nonetheless, we urged you to increase the amount of energy in the succeeding matches”, he concluded.
GFF President Lamin Kaba Bajo strongly noted that the foundation for the National team is based on solidity which is now earning fruits for the Gambia. “The foundation is solid because of the players we have been building over the period. Your cooperation and camaraderie has earned us this far“, he noted.
Mr Bajo said investment in football is never static due to the huge finances that are involved. “Despite all the hurdles, i want to reassure you that the GFF will not relent and will continue to support the team until we get to the promised land“. He thanked the Gambia government for their support. “I want to thank the President His Excellency Mr Adama Barrow for his personal commitment and support and we are aware of government’s support to us throughout“.
Mr Bajo concluded by noting that the safety and health concern of the players is a major preoccupation for the GFF. He cited Sulayman Marreh’s as a case study noting that Marreh is in safe hands and is been taken care of by competent authorities in Libreville. “We are in touch with Sulayman on daily basis and the matter is communicated to CAF and almost everybody including our government is involved in this case. But i can assure you again that he is in fine hands and the Gambian community in Libreville are awar of his situation and are in contact with him“. Marreh was tested positive of Corona Virus and is expected to leave Libreville when he turns negative.
Earlier, GFF 1st Vice President Alh Bakary K Jammeh also felicitated the Scorpions for their heroics performances over Gabon. He thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports for the “extra luck” you bring to our football. “Our role as Federation is to ensure that things are done from the background and the GFF will continue to facilitate in that direction”. Mr Jammeh however urged the team to put up more efforts and win big “because goal difference really matters in Qualifiers“.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports Mr Sutay Jawo also hailed the Scorpions for the patriotism and sacrifice to the country. “Its a noble sacrifice to represent your country despite the Covid-19 challenges”
Head Coach Tom Saintfiet earlier thanked the GFF and Gambia government for the partnership that made it possible for the success registered. ” We have a unique team but we are blessed with the support of the federation and the government for having this success“.
Speaking on behalf of the players, mid fielder Ebrima Sohna also thanked the GFF for the support and the provision of logistics to the team. He said the results achieved recently shows the readiness of the squad to its first ever Afcon Finals. Sohna further thanked the Gambia government for the support and urged the Minister to convey their appreciation to His Excellency President Barrow and cabinet.
