By Alieu Ceesay
On a beautiful Sunday evening, the coastal town of Bakau buzzed with excitement as sports enthusiasts and locals gathered at the town’s football park to unveil a state-of-the-art pavilion worth over two million dalasi. The ceremony, led by Ousman Choi Drammeh, President of the Bakau Sports Committee, was graced by Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Bakary Badjie, marking a historic milestone for the football-loving community.
The newly constructed pavilion, a first of its kind in Bakau, offers seating, shade, and an enhanced viewing experience for spectators at the football park. Built by Mannasi Architect and Construction Limited, the structure comes with a 15-year guarantee of quality, as assured by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Omar Barrow. The pavilion is expected to transform the spectator experience and elevate the town’s reputation as a hub for football.
Young football star Alagie Modou Nyin expressed his enthusiasm to this outlet, stating, “The Sports Committee has done wonders. We’ve been eyeing a pavilion for years, and this motivates me to play even harder in this year’s tournament.” The pavilion’s completion, coupled with ongoing improvements to the pitch, signals a new era for sports infrastructure in Bakau.
Ousman Choi Drammeh, visibly proud of the achievement, credited his team for their relentless efforts. “This is a historic moment for sports in Bakau. It gives us renewed hope and shows we can achieve great things through collective effort, without solely relying on government support,” Drammeh said. He remains optimistic that more developments will follow under his leadership, further solidifying Bakau’s sporting legacy.
The evening’s festivities didn’t end with the pavilion’s unveiling. The atmosphere turned electric as the Super Cup final unfolded between rivals Ron Mango and Lunibourg. Ron Mango, the reigning league champions, defended their dominance by defeating the knockout champions Lunibourg in a thrilling 4-2 post-match penalty shootout.
Abdoulie Dibba, head coach of Ron Mango, attributed the victory to two months of rigorous preparation. “Our focus now is to reach the finals in the upcoming season,” Dibba said, exuding confidence. Meanwhile, Lunibourg’s head coach, Omar Joof, despite the loss, remained hopeful for a landmark victory in the forthcoming season, vowing to capture both the league and knockout titles.
Ron Mango celebrated their Super Cup triumph with a D30,000 cash prize and a giant trophy, while Lunibourg walked away with D20,000. The match set the stage for the highly anticipated Bakau Nawettan tournament, scheduled to kick off on Tuesday.
The pavilion’s unveiling and Ron Mango’s Super Cup victory have ignited excitement in Bakau, with the community eagerly awaiting the upcoming tournament. As Drammeh emphasized, the collective efforts of the Sports Committee and local stakeholders are proving that small initiatives can yield significant results, inspiring hope for a brighter future in Bakau’s sports scene.
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