By Alieu Ceesay
The Minister of Agriculture and a former footballer, Omar Jallow alias O.J has spoken about the need to have sports independent of politics.
O.J was speaking in an interview with The Fatu Network as he watched Medina FC beat neighbouring rivals Milan FC in the 2017 Serrekunda East super cup final on Friday evening. The final marks the beginning of the annual popular summer football fiesta better known as ‘Nawettan’.
The veteran politician and leader of PPP said politicising the sports will only bring about difference in sports and therefore make a certain group of people lack interest in sports.
The agriculture minister claimed that he conceived the idea of splitting Serrekunda ‘Nawettan’ into SK East and SK West in the early 1980s. “I am happy that my vision has come to reality and the youth are making best use of the SK East Mini-stadium.”
Even though he is not the sports minister, but the Serrekunda native, O.J expressed government’s commitment to sports development.
The final, which was attended by hundreds, was also attended by the President of GFF, Lamin Kaba Bajo, Mayor Yankuba Colley and The Gambia and Africa’s Best Referee Bakary Papa Gassama.
Meanwhile, Banjul, Serrekunda West, Bakau, Manjai, Sukuta, Brufut and Brikama have all kick-started their different tournaments.
