By Lamin Fadera
Last Saturday night of glitz and glamour, the Sports Journalist Association of The Gambia (SJAG) celebrated past and present sports personalities in a colorful event held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center in Bijilo.
This is the 12th edition of the awards night. It was graced by the first lady of The Gambia, Madam Fatou Bah Barrow; Minister of Youths and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie; Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia, Mamat Cham, interior Minister Seyaka Sonko; former Senegalese Minister of sports Mahtarr Bah, and a high-power delegation from the Senegalese sports press ANPS led by president Abdoulaye Thiam.
On a night when Abdoulie Bojang was named the sports personality of the year, Real De Banjul won the team and coach of the year, respectively, following – Vjatseslav Zahovaiko’s success in his debut season, Mustapha Drammeh scooped the local-based athlete of the year. Kumba Kuyateh of Red Scorpions grabbed the female athlete of the year.
In an exclusive interview with the Alkamba Times Sports, Coach Abdouulie Bojang said he was pleased to win the accolade.
“I cannot express my feelings honestly; it is a great and massive achievement for me. Recognizing the work I have done with my team definitely, I wasn’t expecting it, but I am pleased about it,” Bojang said.
Elsewhere, social commentator and sports enthusiast Besenty Gomez was given a special award for his outstanding contribution to sports development in the country.
Just like Abdoulie Bojang, Besenty Gomez was equally amazed to have received the special award from the SJAG. Gomez highlighted that more amazing people have used their energy and resources in Gambian sports but have yet to be visible to the public, who could undoubtedly grab the special award.
He said many are called, but few are chosen, and he was lucky to be chosen.
“I am grateful to the SJAG for recognizing my efforts; for me, I am service-oriented; awards do not move me. Whatever I do, I am expected to do that; I am born to serve. More people have spent time, energy, and resources than me, but maybe they aren’t visible.” Gomez said
He challenged sports journalists to cover other sports, not only football because all sports need the media and visibility to reach the next level.
Here is the list of the awards given at the 12th edition of the SJAG awards night at the sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara conference center on the 25th of November, 2023.
Team of the Year – Real de Banjul
Coach of the Year – Vjatseslav Zahovaiko (Real de Banjul)
Female Athlete of the Year – Kumba Kuyateh (Red Scorpions)
Local Based Athlete of the Year – Mustapha Drammeh (Brikama United)
Foreign-Based Athletes of the Year – Mbye Babou Jarra and Sainey Jawo (Beach Volleyball)
Sports Personality of the Year – Abdoulie Bojang (The Gambia U-20 Coach)
Special Awards
Hawks FC 2021-22 GFF Division One League Champions
Faye Njie – Judo
The Gambia Beach Volleyball (Male) Team
Isatou Touray – Referee
Hoyantan – Wrestling
Lamin Jammeh – Referee
Ablie Jallow – Football
Musa Barrow – Football
Modou Gamo – Paralympics
Gina Bass – Athletics
Ola Buwaro – Football
U-20 National Team
President’sPresident’s Award
PURA
Banjul International Marathon
Tijan Masanneh Ceesay
Abubacarr Jawara GACH
Late Hon. Omar A. Jallow
Besenty Gomez
Late Furu Gomez
Late Sulayman Kuyateh
Ousman Cho Drammeh
The Late Hon. Alieu K. Jammeh
Africell
Hon Matar Ba – Senegal
The Gambia Senior Men’s National Team
Aliou Cisse – Senegal Head Coach
Augustin Senghor – Senegal FA President and CAF Vice President
Lamin Kabba Bajo – The Gambia Football Federation President
