By John Mendy & Omar Bah
Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has called on stakeholders in the sports and particularly the football fraternity to settle their differences for the promotion and development of Gambian football.
The two bodies have not enjoyed a good relation for over a year now. Speaking at State House Friday when the Under-20 called on him, President Barrow advised both stakeholders to be united for the growth of the game.
“I think we have to open the window of reconciliation. We have to be united in the spirit of sports, in the interest of The Gambia.If you want to walk quickly, you walk alone. But If you want to go far, you walk together. So togetherness is very important and if we are united we can succeed. So that spirit of unity must continue at every level if we want to make a difference for this country,” President Barrow said.
The President’s advice was fueled by the President of the Football Federation’s remarks when he sought for President Barrow’s personal intervention to help both parties improve their relationship.
“It’s very unfortunate. It’s an open secret, that until your personal intervention, the relationship between the Football Federation and the Ministry has not been very smooth. Naturally in any relationship there must be ups and downs. We need your personal intervention to help us, both the Ministry and the Football Federation, to put us together to save our images.” Lamin Kaba Bajo said.
However, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Henry Gomez used the platform and responded that all is well with both parties involved. “We as a Ministry, we are not having any problem with the GFF.
“Our house is in order.” Gomez said.
Meanwhile the President donated handsome undisclosed amount to the team as way of appreciation and encouragement. The Standard later learned from various sources that the sum was D250, 000.
