The month of March saw Adallah Jammeh enlisted as an elite FIFA referee, replacing Bakary Gassama, who retired a few months ago. This feat has taken the tally to 16 referees from Gambia who are having FIFA badge. Jammeh has been a referee since 2014 and has been officiating in the Gambia First Division for the last three years.
The first-class police officer was named the best referee by both the Banjul Sports Committee and the Serekunda East Sports Committee, with the latter, through its president, applauding Jammeh and describing him as a beacon of hope for the Gambia and the world.
“Following his track record last year and this year with Serekunda East, this promotion doesn’t come as a surprise to the zone president.
From the qualifiers to Nawettan, whenever there is a big game, we assign him. The tense draw between Leeds United and T-Town, which was the best game in the Nawettan, was officiated by Abdallah. All semifinals and finals are being officiated by him. He has delivered on our expectations. We are happy to see him move up the ladder. We believe he can even do better in CAF and FIFA and become a very outstanding referee in the near future.”
For Abdallah his elevation to the status of a FIFA referee came as a shock.
Photo Credit – Baldezz Multi Media
“I was a bit surprised, but I felt excited when I was enlisted; it was something that I was anticipating. I have to be well prepared from now on, and when it comes to performances and approaches, I have to set standards. Jammeh told Scorpions TV.” Jammeh emphasized.
Jammeh is already tipped to be Bakary Gassama’s successor, and he admits to giving his utmost best.
“We wait for the best; I will take it from where Papa stopped, and I will raise the Gambian flag.”
Jammeh regards Gassama as a role model, aspiring to emulate his success in refereeing.
“I am following in his footsteps. I am looking up to someone who has done everything for the Gambia when it comes to refereeing, and he has mentored and coached us a lot.”
“The job is very accommodating; it gives us time for training and competition. They are very supportive; I joined Fatou Ngum and Lamin N Jammeh as referees from the Gambia Police Service,” he added.
The FIFA referee coordinator at the FA level Mr. Famara, reacting to Jammeh’s promotion is based on his output.
“The promotion is based on performance, and he is young, dedicated, and intelligent.”
“The future is bright for him, and I hope he will write his name in the history books of FIFA and CAF.” He concluded
