Basketball in Africa

The Executive Committee of The Gambia Basketball Association (GBA) is committed to ensuring that the sport will be developed in the country and in extension target a larger player base.
These remarks were made by the public relations officer (PRO) of the Association, Sandeji Njie, who was speaking to Observer Sports in an exclusive interview at the end of the 3-on-3 basketball competition at the Independence Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking further, Njie thanked their partners like the US Embassy for making sure that the tournament was a success. He however pointed out that the sport has been dormant for nearly a decade but reiterated their commitment to ensuring that basketball regains its past glory days.
PRO Njie also disclosed that they have seen some young talents they would like to nurture to become professionals in future, but he was quick to point out that they have a very daunting task as an association before they can achieve their dreams. He also pointed out that the 3-on-3 tournament will be used as a benchmark in their efforts to develop the sport.
The basketball PRO further opined that seeing several fans and members of the diplomatic and consular corps coming together to watch the games is an encouraging sign that the sport is on the right track to glory.
The secretary general of the GBA, Abdoulie Jallow, expressed heartfelt joy and happiness for the successful completion of the tournament. According to him, the level of competition shown is enough encouragement to say that Gambian basketball is coming back to life once again.
Speaking further, SG Jallow noted that the purpose for which the competition was organised is being achieved, adding that they would use other future competitions to learn from their weaknesses, from the organisational aspect to the standard of refereeing, from which they will be able to improve on so as to make the game more appealing to the population.
He remarked that the 3-on-3 tournament has given opportunity to everyone to showcase their talents in basketball, noting that they would like to capitalise on the momentum the games has already created, by teaming up as an executive committee to come up with the schedule for the new domestic league season.
Also speaking to this reporter was the Charge d' Affaires at the US Embassy, Richard Yoneoka, who assessed the overall tournament as a success. He described the competition as a wonderful tournament for the young people who were able to express themselves in the field of play.
He also complimented his US Embassy team for what he described as their wonderful performance during the games, noting that they really had some fun. "Looking at the overall tournament, it is a very great competition and we as the US Embassy would not hesitate to continue helping The Gambia Basketball Association (GBA) to develop basketball in The Gambia," he added.
"By giving medals to the respective winners and runners up," he went on, "it would serve as a source of motivation to the young ones to take up basketball seriously". Yoneoka concluded by thanking the GBA for organisng such a tournament while commending the sponsors and collaborators for successful games.