Legends are usually remembered when they give up the ghost, but the greatest is to do so even when they are still living and breathing the sports vigor. Mention the name Ousman Basi Conateh fondly called Fisco or OB, even young people, who have no relation with sports and football in particular, the probability is that seven out of ten Gambians would tell you a thing or two about him.
A Gambian asset and legend to become, Fisco was born on 1st November 1937 in Banjul, The Gambia. He is a household name in The Gambia and around the sub-region. As a young and energetic smart boy who will later become an icon in Gambian football, Fisco attended St. Augustine’s High School and had a professional training in merchandise, marketing and entrepreneurship at the United Africa Company (UAC) in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was later made the manager of Kingsway Supermarket, one of the subsidiaries of UAC. He was also the Administrative Manager of The Gambia Fisheries Ltd and the sole owner and Chief Executive Officer of the National Partnership Enterprises (NPE) Sea Food Processing Company and sole owner and chairman of O.B. Trawlers Agency.
Cherno Bara Touray, one of the many people whose story about Fisco could fill a book, said it will take a lifetime to exhaust a detailed biography and contributions of OB Conateh. “Fisco is a rare person. He is one of the finest cyclists this nation would ever produce and that prompted him to be the first to introduce cycling in the country,” Touray explained.
He further narrated that the octogenarian Fisco has employed over hundreds of men and women in the sports fraternity into his company just to provide employment to young Gambians and give them a reason to live and uplift their families. “The beauty about Fisco is that, he is humble and always wishes good for everyone irrespective of your origin, background or tribe. Despite his responsibility as founder of Wallidan Football Club, OB never stopped helping other clubs within the league, I mean who does that; so unselfish and notably incredible person who has Gambian football and development at heart.”
Uncle Fisco served as the President of the then The Gambia Football Association from 1993 until his voluntary retirement in 2001. His unflinching efforts in raising football in The Gambia during his stint as its president was reciprocated when he was bestowed with the rare reverence of the honorary life presidency of the national football governing body at a 2001 Congress and remains so until today. He never played football but has always been a keen admirer and in 1969, through one of his many philanthropic gestures, founded what is regarded as one of the most successful stories in Gambian football, the birth of Wallidan. It was in the summer of that year when some boys (now grandparents) sought assistance to form a football club and gave the birth of the Blues.
Outside of sports, he is one of the most respected figures in normal Gambian life. He is the Chairman of the Banjul Committee of Elders; member of the Executive Committee of the Banjul Muslim Elders; mentor and role model for many youth; initiator of self-help project with social associations for community development. He was a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF); first vice president of the West African Football Union (WAFU) and honorary consul of the Republic of Cote d’ Ivoire in The Gambia.
Cherno Touray reiterated that when it comes to the country’s participation in the continental showpiece, Fisco’s contribution was second to none, financially, morally, and technically. “I recalled OB wouldn’t hesitate to support any club that qualifies for the championship even if it were not his team, Wallidan. He will always be the first to render his service and support to the teams in all aspects with an open heart and mind. OB Conateh is a resemblance to late Omar Sey in Gambia sports. I believe Omar knew what this man could become and wasted no time in working with him,” he affirmed.
A baron of sports and football in particular, an athlete during his youth days and later a seasoned administrator par excellence, he was a devastating cricketer and an ex-national cycling champion. A true entrepreneur in all definitions, this living legend has done so much for the development of sports, particularly football in The Gambia and beyond and has impacted positively on the lives of many. The founding father of Gambia’s most successful football club, Wallidan, Fisco has won several awards in and outside of the country. In 1986, he was decorated with the prestigious honour of the Insignia of Member of the Republic of The Gambia (MRC); Officer of the National Order of the Republic of Cote d’ Ivoire in 1995; inducted into the Hall of Fame as National Cycling Champion, International Cricketer. For the outstanding contribution to the development of youth and sport in 1999; he also won the Millennium Award for Excellence by The Gambia National Olympic Committee in 2000 and in 2001, he was honoured with the Achievement Award for Excellence by The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Insignia of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia (ORG). In 2007, he was made Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Cote d’ Ivoire.
To many Gambians, Fisco is a living icon and inspiration. For Cherno Barra Touray, ‘Fisco is an asset and role model who should be remembered forever. Football and sports cannot pay him but we have to remember him forever especially while he still lives, we owe him that.
