Gambian Sports Locked up in Power Struggle for a Whole Year

This setback served as a benchmark for the country’s lack of participation and poor performance in international competitions

Fight for power nearly killed the game in 2013. In this photo, Gambia 0-3 Ivory Coast, Independence Stadium, Bakau, Saturday June 8, 2013, Brazil 2014 qualifier. (Photo Credit: Modou S. Joof/TNBES/June2013)

Sports Ministry condemn IOC’s ‘undiplomatic’ threats

Sports Minister Alieu K. Jammeh

Gambia’s Sports Ministry has said it abhors the distasteful tone of language used in a letter by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) addressed to the Gambia National Olympic Committee last week.

While exhorting the Gambia Government not to interfere with the affairs of the GNOC, the IOC called a sports tribunal established by the Youth and Sports Minister “so-called” in the wake of the publication of the tribunal’s findings on last year’s GNOC elections. 

However, the Sports Ministry in a letter addressed to the IOC President, Jacque Rogge, said it condemns the “undiplomatic threats” embedded therein.

Gambia: IOC takes a dim view of Government’s stance on GNOC elections

Sports Minister Alieu K. Jammeh

The Gambia’s Sports Ministry last week revived the ill-fated February 12, 2011 elections of Gambia National Olympic Committee, GNOC, by calling it “a farce.”

The Government’s stance followed the release of findings by a sports tribunal it setup to look into last year’s GNOC elections which saw Mr. Alhagie Momodou Dibba take the reins at the expense of Mr. Abdoulie Bax Touray who boycotted the polls.

“Such an election without the supervision of the National Sports Council which is mandated to do so by law could best be described as a farce. The credibility of the election of February 12, 2011 was largely diminished as a result of voting by non- eligible voters,” the ministry said on Tuesday.  

“The Council shall ensure the election of an Olympic committee in accordance with the Olympic Charter for the purpose of ensuring The Gambia’s effective representation at each Olympic Games and for carrying out functions relating thereto,” the Ministry added in its June 12 statement.