By Lamin Njie
President Adama Barrow on Wednesday posthumously awarded Alhagie Momodou Njie Biri Biri Insignia of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia CRG, the nation’s highest award.
Biri Biri died last Sunday at a hospital in Dakar after a long illness.
On Wednesday thousands attended a state funeral held for a man largely described as the country’s greatest footballer of all time.
“It is unfortunate that Biri did not live long enough to receive our national award. It would have been our wish to do this while he was still with us,” President Barrow said at the event while awarding Biri the top award.
The president added: “But whatever Allah destines, no one can avert. In recognition of his selfless service to The Gambia and humanity in general, coupled with his untiring efforts in development of football in the country, Alhagie Momodou Njie alias Biri Biri is awarded Insignia of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia CRG Posthumous.”
