Gambia and Alain athletic striker Ousman Jallow has, on behalf of his team-mates, heaped praises on the Gambian leader, Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, for his benevolent gesture in allocating plots of land to players of The Gambia Under 17 team that won the CAF Under 17 Championship title in 2005, before representing The Gambia in her first-ever FIFA World Cup finals in Peru later in the same year.

The former Wallidan striker, who scored the only goal that decided the fate of the coveted title in a heated final against Ghana, said although the football tournaments present themselves as challenges, the President’s financial assistance and words of wisdom have always aided them in overcoming the challenges.

“We continue to deeply appreciate His Execellency’s grand and persistent efforts towards sports and socia-economic development at large,” Jallow revealed in a thank-you letter sent to Observer Sports.

“We accept the recent land allocations with great joy and promise to put them to good use by not letting them go in vain,”

“Whilst once again thanking you, we pray for your continued long life, good health and blessing. May Allah continue to guide and protect the entire Gambian population under your rule,” he concluded.

In addition to the allocation of plots of land to the former Under-17 players, the Gambian leader also disbursed over one million dalasis in settlement of all outstanding allowances to the former Under 20 team that participated in the 2007 African Youth Championship and FIFA World Cup finals hosted in Congo and Canada, respectively.