Members of the Fajara Club, the biggest sports club in the Gambia on Sunday unveiled a bust (mini-statue) in memory of former president Jawara and named its golf course after him at a ceremony presided over by Vice President Dr Isatou Touray.
The club also launched a memorial tournament in his honour to be played annually.
Ram Mohan, the chairman of the club welcomed Sir Dawda’s family led by Dawda Jawara Jr and informed them that the club recognised the invaluable contribution of the late president towards the development of golf and have since his life time planned to honour his legacy in golf contribution to the club . He paid tribute to Sir Dawda’ s personal participation in tournaments which not only promoted the game but also inspired young people to take up the sport and develope themselves. Mohan announced that the bust, the re-naming of the golf course and the memorial tournament will all serve as eternal memory of the late president.
The late president’s eldest son, Dawda Jr thanked the Fajara Club for honouring his father adding that the old man would have appreciated the gesture, alongside other facilities named after him just a short time after his passing. He thanked the Fajara Club for celebrating his father’s association with them and gave a long history of Sir Dawda’s involvement with golf and the club which used to be called the Bathurst Club.
The vice president, Dr Isatou Touray in unveiling the bust saluted members of the Fajara Club for honouring the father of the nation and assured them of government’s support and President Adama Barrow’s interest in the event .
She described the gesture as a true recognition of Jawara’s legacy which she said transcended many aspects of the life of the nation including human rights and good governance.
The vice president was taken on a conducted tour of the facilities at the club which also include tennis, badminton, snooker among many other sports. She also had her first lesson in golf with members encouraging her to take up the sport.
Batch Samba Faye, one of the trustees of the club urged government and private sector operators to support the club’s effort to transform the course to an all green course to make it even more attractive to golfers around the globe.
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