Editor,

Kindly allow me space in your widely read newspaper to commend Father Joseph A Gough for the excellent work he is doing for The Gambia. It was evident during Father’s career as principal at Saint Augustine’s High School that he made high school sports more challenging and interesting.

Products of St. Augustine’s High were among the best students both academically and  in extracurricular activities in the country. His foresight to sponsor a multi-sports complex shows his desire to continue his legacy. This is highly appreciated by all Gambians.
Thank you Father Gough, it is now left to the management of the multi-sports complex to take responsibility and make the place sustainable to achieve his dream.

The appointment of Bai Malleh Wadda, one of Father’s greatest athletic students, demonstrates his experience and motivation. The youth of Manjai Kunda and the environment are blessed to have a great asset that can surely improve their standard of living. Please make good use of the multi-sports complex, organise peaceful tournaments and raise funds to sustain the maintenance cost of the centre.

To this end, I wish to call on Gambian philanthropists and friends of The Gambia to emulate Father Gough and provide more leisure centres for Gambian youths. The empty land spaces within the Greater Banjul Area needs to be developed for more leisure centres where both the youth and elderly people can visit to do their daily leisure activities.

This will certainly contribute to the well being of the people, reduce stress and obesity. Congratulations to the Lord Mayor of Banjul, Samba Faal, and management of Banjul City Council for conferring honorary citizenship on Father Gough, in recognition of his hard work in The Gambia, particularly in Banjul. This would surely make the Father feel at home while in Banjul, forever.

Job well done, Father Gough, for your continued support to the development of Gambian sports and education.