Jammeh: work effectively and efficiently or leave for good

Minister Alieu K. Jammeh

The minister of youth and sports has challenged sports stakeholders to work effectively and efficiently or stay out of the administration of sport in The Gambia for good.

Sports minister Alieu Jammeh stressed that members of sports associations “are not working as a family” within their associations. 

He was addressing this issue at a meeting with members of the sports associations, at the Friendship Hostel at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, on Tuesday. 

 “We have realised that some of the associations are working wrongly in their respective areas, for which we cannot sit and see things working like that. If we say stakeholders, it means everybody should contribute to the development of the game,” Minister Jammeh said.

“If we don’t work together as an association, I don’t see way forward in the development of the game and our athletes,” he said, adding that government has been very supportive, and “will continue to support the development of our games; that’s why we don’t want anyone to jeopardize the development of the game and we want unity among us.”

He went on: “I know there are people, who want voluntarism in the development of the game; we need those people and their support. We all know that the Government of The Gambia is working very hard to see sports develop in the country.” 

Everybody should work as one family, he notes: “We have very skillful players and athletes in the country; we should ask ourselves why we are not going forward? If Cape Verde Island can qualify to the nation’s cup, why not The Gambia; why our sport is not developing?

“We have realized that some associations are using the name of the ministry to apply for visas and travel outside the country, which we are not aware of. And if we catch any association in these kinds of situation you will be dealt with according to the law.”

He also said the president of the republic is always ready to help in the development of the game and the athletes.

Permanent secretary for youth and sports Malang Jasseh, in his remarks, said they (the ministry) don’t want to interfere in the affairs of any sports associations; however he said if things are working wrongly they would try their best to put them right.