Mr Sheikh Omar Faye, SoS for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs yesterday launched Operation Canada 2007 campaign at the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

In his launching remarks, SoS Faye said he was representing the President of the Republic and number one fan of Scorpions, Dr Alhagi Yahya Jammeh and his entire cabinet. He described the occasion as another milestone in the history of Gambian sports. He thanked all those who helped in the success of the Gambian team in Congo and urged Gambians to come forward and support the team to ‘Canada record-breaking championship’ in June 2007.

Faye also hailed the Gambian leader for his love for the country and its people.

He said: “The Gambia is blessed with a dynamic leader. President Jammeh has spent millions of dalasis on this very team since at the U-17 level. I will quote from the CAF President Issa Hayatou, who sent a special message to the Gambian leader saying: “If all Presidents were like President Jammeh, then football would have gone beyond where it is today.”

While urging everyone to come on board, SoS Faye said contribution towards the campaign will start from his department and its satellite institutions. “We will start from our own department where every month we will gather something,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Col Lang Tombong Tamba, First Vice President and Chairman of Marketing Committee of The Gambia Football Association said, he was greatly honoured to be associated with the Canada campaign. According to him, it is mandatory on The Gambia Football Association to run the affairs of football in the country, but added the football association cannot do this without the cooperation of the Department of State for Youth & Sports.

Col Tamba described the relations between the two bodies as very cordial and fruitful, adding that the national football governing body will continue to work hand-in-glove with the sports department, in a bid to develop the game we all cherish-football.

He paid tribute to the GFA Marketing Committee for their sacrifice during the team’s qualifier bout. The Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces also saluted the players and the entire coaching staff of the U-20 team for their steadfastness.

Mr Ebou Joof, Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs, who also presided over the ceremony said the launch of such operation is very much befitting, adding that Canada is a long way from The Gambia.

“During the Congo trip, we have had some time constraints and this is what we want to avoid this time around,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by senior members of Youth & Sports, members of the Gambia Football Association, senior officials of the various companies among other stakeholders.