He entered the national team via the Gambia police force’s athletics team when he enlisted in the 1960s.
It was a time of great rivalry among sports clubs in the country. In addition to his general police duties, Capi inspired the police to command a long spell of dominance especially in athletics with himself as the leading light.
Having retired both from the police force at the post of deputy inspector general and athletics as a record sprint champion and captain, Capi is now a well known international athletics official. He is the treasurer of the Confederation of African Athletics Association CAAA among other international portfolios and for decades he dedicated his life to serving Gambian sports, holding many portfolios in athletics including currently, its presidency.
Under his tenure the GAA now acquired a plot of land from the government for the construction of an athletics house to house not just offices but conference rooms and other facilities. A number of Gambian athletes are or have found ways to excellent training centers around the world while Gambia made strong representation in events across the world. In the last Olympic games Swaibou Sanneh a Gambian reached the semis of the 100 meters for the first time.
‘That is our focus; to bequeath a tangible legacy to the next generation of our sports men and women,” Joof recently told The Standard. Read more Veterans’ Platform next w e ek for another great sports personality.
By Lamin Cham
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