GFA Normalization Committee reacts to ROC Protest Letter

Following the joint communiqué recently issued and signed by the Chairman and Secretary Generals of the Regional Organisation Committee (ROC) from all the regions in country sent to The Gambia Football Association (GFA) Normalisation Committee protesting their angers to the validation of the draft constitution. The GFA has reacted to the protest letter sent to them by the Regional Organising Committee (ROC) boycotting the validation of the GFA draft Constitution. The committee on Friday afternoon convened a press conference at the GFA house in Kanifing to explain and elaborate more on the protest letter addressed to them from the ROC.

Members of GFA Normalization Committee including Alhagie Omar Sey

Alhaji Omar Sey, spokesperson of the committee who also doubles as the chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee said: “I was surprised by the lack of understanding shown in the letter. The constitution has undergone a process. It is not a constitution written by the committee but a draft constitution produced by the world football governing body, FIFA, and FIFA requires that it goes through this process.”

The GFA committee’s focal person went on to assert that they initially had discussions in Zürich with the FIFA president and Secretary General to ensure that the constitution is all inclusive and here at home, they commissioned a constitutional Review Committee which he is chairing to further look into the details of the constitution. He added that FIFA sent two delegates to further review it with them to make sure what they agreed on in Zürich and what obtains all over the world is in the constitution, which they did and sent back the copy to FIFA.

“We agreed with FIFA that we will disseminate the copies to all the stakeholders in the country which we have done. We invited these stakeholders to a meeting for validation. Apparently, what has happened is that the people concerned particularly the signatories of the letter did not understand the word 'Validation' and the whole process,” he said.

Alhaji Omar Sey went on to say that the language of the letter was aggressive and unnecessary, noting that those are not good words to use in communicating with people who are not your enemies and that they are required by FIFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to dialogue with the zones and discuss with them for validation. “Towards the end of this month or mid next month, we will have a congress for everybody to come and adopt or reject the constitution, after we have validate the constitution,” he stressed.

He said they have already validated the constitution with Banjul and it was successful, noting that points were raised which they noted and they are expecting the delegation from the URR. However, he said the other regions have chosen not to come, something he opined is not right.

“We are all together in this process. They talk about manipulation, and then FIFA and Gambia are involved in the manipulation, is that what they are saying? If people don't understand issues they should ask in the polite manner as we did it,” Sey told sports reporters, adding that the protest letter was purportedly written by zones but he did not see any name on the letter but only the signatories.

He therefore called for honesty and civility on the part of Gambians particularly those interested in the progress of football. “We have nothing to manipulate because the Constitution is not for Omar Sey or OB Conateh but for the whole Gambia. It is a document that has been looked at by FIFA. In fact what are we going to manipulate? because we are neither voting nor standing for election.” He further pointed out that anyone who goes through the constitution will definitely know that there is revolution and evolution in Gambian football, noting that gone are the days when everything is ad-hoc.

Sey said the new constitution will have everyone on board, adding that the former GFA executive was dissolved by the ministry with reasons which were accepted by FIFA. He also stressed that FIFA is closely monitoring the Normalisation Committee. “We see how other countries are operating and if we don't operate like that then we will stay stagnant. We need to stop the personal attack and embrace the spirit of cooperation and understanding for the development of our football,” he urged. He concluded by saying that they will continue the dialogue since they have all on board for the development of Gambian football.