The Gambia’s sprint queen Gina Bass, footballer Musa Barrow, and national U-19 beach volleyball team were among the big winners at the 2021 National Sports Awards organised by the Sports Journalists Association of The Gambia (SJAG). Senegal and Liverpool forward Sadio Mané received the SJAG President’s Award.
The 11th edition of the award gala was successfully held on 3 July, 2021, at the iconic Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the venue for the next summit of the Organisation of International Conference in 2022.
Bass, who is preparing to represent The Gambia at the Tokyo Olympics was crowned Sports Personality of The Year for her exploits and consistency.
Forward Barrow, who plays for Bologna in the Italian Serie A, was awarded the Best Foreign-Based Athlete.
Among other award recipients were the Senior Scorpions of The Gambia for qualifying to the country’s maiden Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year; the national U-20 football team for winning a bronze medal at the African U-20 Championship this year, and the national U-19 volleyball team.
The SJAG President’s Award went to Adama Barrow, President of The Gambia; Sadio Mané of Senegal and Liverpool; Lamin Kabba Bajo, president of The Gambia Football Federation; Matar Ba, Senegal’s sports minister; and Abdoulie Thiam, president of the Senegalese sport press. .
Musa Sise, president of SJAG, said the event is meant to award and celebrate past and present sports personalities, hence the theme for this year “Celebrating to Inspire.” He thanked all the partners who supported the event, and by extension the executive of SJAG for the commitment in staging a successful event.
The event couldn’t hold last year due to the pandemic.
Award recipients
Sprinter Gina Bass – Sports Personality of the Year
Musa Barrow, Bologna – Foreign Based Athlete of the Year
Special Awards
Senior Scorpions of The Gambia
National U-20 Football Team
National U-19 Volleyball Team
Walk for Health
Gambian Coach Tapha Manneh in Liberia
Marie Wadda, Volleyball Coach
Abie Ceesay, Football Referee
Isatou Touray, Football Referee
Matarr Mbodge, U-20 Coach
Beach Volleyball Team
SJAG President’s Award
Adama Barrow – President of The Gambia
Tom Saintfiet – Scorpions Coach
Lamin Kabba Bajo – President, GFF
Mass Axi Gai – Former Sports Minister
Abdoulie Thiam – ANPS President
Matar Ba – Senegal’s Sports Minister
Sadio Mané – Liverpool Forward
By Alieu Ceesay
AINPS
