By George Gomez
The Gambia has lost one of her great sons, Ebou Taal.
He was not only a friend but a true confidant, an intellectual, a modest, respected and responsible guy.
Ebou was from a respectable religious family from Kent Street and attended the Methodist Boys High School where he passed the Junior Cambridge examination with honours.
In his youthful days Ebou played football for Gambia United and later, White Phantoms.
He was a strong dependable right full back who went on to play for the National team shortly before he left for further studies overseas.
A multi talented sports man Ebou was also the national champion in table tennis dominating the sport at the Banjul Youth Centre, defeating each and every competitor.
The most memorable match was the final in when he beat myself.
He also played tennis and represented the Gambia at the Inter-colonial tennis competition in Sierra Leone.
A good boxer too he was but of all three sports, Ebou Taal excelled far more in cricket than the rest.
Arguably, he was the best spin bowler in his time; many still now not discounting his agility as a reliable batsman.
Ebou was a joy to watch. He was cool, calm but very determined. One could feel his frustration any time he missed to capture a wicket.
Anytime The Gambia national team got into trouble Captain Matarr Sarr or George Madi would always turn to Ebou Taal to salvage the nation.
Ebou was a member of the then famous Zicoza youth club together with Alhaji Abou Dandeh Njie, Musa Faal, Bye Abi Faal, Fisco Conateh and others,
The Zicoza group was the top in Banjul and their rivalry with Roxy Vous was a delight in youth inter relationship in Banjul at the time. They were very popular.
Ebou was also a founding member of Metta Vous later renamed Metta Youth Club. This club organised the Miss Independence in 1965 and the first Miss Gambia in the same year.
To sum it up Ebou Taal has done it all for his beloved country, in sports, in culture and in Government.
He deserved a national award. May the Almighty Allah receive him in Heaven and may his soul rest in peace.
