The minister of Youth and Sports, Alieu Kebba Jammeh has declared that the presidential ban imposed on football across provincial Gambia during the summer in order to encourage rural youths engage in farming has been "lifted" with the ushering of the winter season.
The minister made the declaration in Basse Upper River Region (URR) during a meeting with the youths and local authorities in that far-flung region in continuation of his five-day nationwide tour. He said a directive has been given for them to carry on with their 'noran' football tournaments now that the rainy season is over. The minister quickly told the meeting that one of his biggest challenges is to see sports up and running across the length and breadth of the country, noting that this is why his Ministry attached greater importance to sports development. He stressed the need to decentralise activities, and challenged all sporting associations to tow that line in a bid to ensure a mass participation in sports. "We want committed and function sporting associations that can be seen and felt in all regions," he stressed.
While thanking all those who have in one way or the other contributed towards youth and sports development, Youth and Sports Minister Jammeh reassured that his Ministry will continue to invest in the promotion and development of youth and sport in the region. "Where we see hope, commitment, and seriousness, we will not hesitate to give support and that is exactly what we have seen in the Upper River Region," he told the gathering.
Minister Jammeh also used the Basse meeting to call for unity among youths and sports stakeholders, saying the wrangling should stop and that genuine and sport loving people should be allowed to run the affairs of sports. He informed the gathering that the region will benefit D500, 000 from the Ministry for sports infrastructure development in region, saying the funds have already been disbursed. The chairman of the Basse Area Council, Omar Sampo Ceesay, reassured the minister and delegation of his office willingness to support the young people in their programmes, noting that 25% of their annual budget is earmarked for them.
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