Editor,

I am writing this email from Toronto Canada. During Summer of 2007, I had the privilege to work very closely with the Gambian U-20 soccer team as they participated in the U-20 World Cup in Canada. I was hired by FIFA and worked as the Liaison Officer for the Baby Scorpions. It was a wonderful experience.

I was with the team from the moment they touched down in Toronto to the final match when we were unluckily defeated by Austria. I stayed with the team in the hotel, traveled with the team from city to city and enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner with them every day.

During this time I had the pleasure to get to know Mass Axi Gai, Peter Bonu Johnson, Dhaba Bakari, Lamin Colley and many others who ran the team. I also got to know the players very well, Paul Jatta, Mandou Bojang, Ebrima Sohna, Ken Mensally, Ebrima Jatta, Abdou Ceesay, Tijan Jaiteh, Pierre Gomez and many more. I considered myself an honorary Gambian during this period and I continue to hold the country dear to my heart. The team made me feel very welcome and I will remember this experience forever. God bless The Gambia.

Steven Brown <s_brown76@hotmail.com>m