17 March 2006
GAMBIA: Jammeh Gets SBA Award
The delegates of the Street Basketball Association (SBA) from the United States of America recently conferred on the President of the republic, Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh, the SBA Person of the Year Award for 2005.
They also gave President Jammeh a special certificate for his untiring commitment and unflinching support for the development of youth, empowerment of women, support for sports, particularly basketball in the country.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Jerrod Mustaf, CEO and founder of the renowned SBA said: "I will thank the President for inviting the SBA to The Gambia. President Jammeh has accorded us the privilege to come back to the land of our ancestors, and we are really grateful for the hospitality he accorded to us during our stay." He also hails President Jammeh for his development efforts, particularly in the areas of education, women empowerment, and sports.
The vice President, Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy, described SBA's presence in The Gambia as building the bridge between the USA and The Gambia through the unifying tool of sports. She commended Jerrod Mustaf and his team for their visiting The Gambia, and their quest to revive the game of basketball in The Gambia, which is considered as the haven of Africa.
Reacting to their magnanimous gesture, the President of the Republic, Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh said: "Apart from sports, I want young African-Americans to acquire first-hand information about Africa and what is being said about the continent."He said he will work hard to revive the game of basketball in the country and would like to see basketball registering its successes in the international arena in a few years' time. But he pointed out that success can only be achieved if there are interest, inspiration and commitment, hard work and dedication.
President Jammeh urged the SBA members to remain united and work together in the spirit of brotherhood and added that the SBA award will serve as an inspiration for him to support sports all the time. As a show of his commitment, President Jammeh has rehabilitated the Manneh Sillah Memorial Lawn, Gambia Senior Secondary School lawn and a basketball court in State House.
They also gave President Jammeh a special certificate for his untiring commitment and unflinching support for the development of youth, empowerment of women, support for sports, particularly basketball in the country.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Jerrod Mustaf, CEO and founder of the renowned SBA said: "I will thank the President for inviting the SBA to The Gambia. President Jammeh has accorded us the privilege to come back to the land of our ancestors, and we are really grateful for the hospitality he accorded to us during our stay." He also hails President Jammeh for his development efforts, particularly in the areas of education, women empowerment, and sports.
The vice President, Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy, described SBA's presence in The Gambia as building the bridge between the USA and The Gambia through the unifying tool of sports. She commended Jerrod Mustaf and his team for their visiting The Gambia, and their quest to revive the game of basketball in The Gambia, which is considered as the haven of Africa.
Reacting to their magnanimous gesture, the President of the Republic, Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh said: "Apart from sports, I want young African-Americans to acquire first-hand information about Africa and what is being said about the continent."He said he will work hard to revive the game of basketball in the country and would like to see basketball registering its successes in the international arena in a few years' time. But he pointed out that success can only be achieved if there are interest, inspiration and commitment, hard work and dedication.
President Jammeh urged the SBA members to remain united and work together in the spirit of brotherhood and added that the SBA award will serve as an inspiration for him to support sports all the time. As a show of his commitment, President Jammeh has rehabilitated the Manneh Sillah Memorial Lawn, Gambia Senior Secondary School lawn and a basketball court in State House.
# posted by afrbk : 13:15
