The myth that education and sports are strange bed fellows in The Gambia has affected many young talented people who could have earned sports scholarships abroad.

To some, education and sports is like Mathematics and English. That one cannot excel in both. That one has to give way to the other. Whatever might have led people to come up with this myth had and still have a great impact in the minds of many young people who could have excelled in both areas and subjects with much ease.

Some talented sports persons and academics in The Gambia have proven many of us wrong by going against the tide. One such person is none other than Blaise Njie. A product of St Augustine’s Senior Secondary School in the capital City of Banjul where one is made to believe that: "At books or play, we win our way ", Blaise kept the promise and kept blazing. Blaise was a member of the school team and Students’ Council since his eleventh grade.

He also played for the Gambia National U-17 team and Flamenin’s FC under the stewardship of coach Peter Bonu Johnson who now handles the U-20 that recently qualified to their first-ever African Youth Championship finals to be played in Congo Brazzaville from the January 20 to February 4, 2007.

After representing his country at both the junior and club level the fleet-footed Blaise, who used to sprint for his school, St Augustine’s , decided to further his education in United State’s of America. With barely four years in the USA, Blaise who already bagged a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, and is now studying for his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Bridgeport, is also making news in the soccer arena.

Blaise did not only win soccer laurels for himself but his team and college. Courtney Nogas, Sports Information Director, at his university was quoted in September 2006, as saying "After 31 minutes of scoreless play, senior Blaise Njie put the Purple Knights on the board when he picked up a ball misplayed by the Spartans defence and kicked it in to make the score 1-0." Blaise team went on to win by 3 goals to one in the end.

The University of Bridgeport senior forward, Blaise Njie was also named as the East Coast Conference (ECC) Baden Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Purple knights in assists with five and was tied for the team’s lead in overall points with 13. His outstanding play has helped the purple knight secure a spot in the ECC Tournament. He is also the first Player of the Week for Seventh year Head Coach Brian Quinn this season.Blaise continued his terrific adventures on the pitch which earned him and his team more glory which Courtney did not hesitate to relay to the public through a press releases.

" Blaise Njie has led University of Bridgeport’s attack all season, ending the regular season with team-high six assists to along with four goals for 14 points. The talented forward ended the year ranked second overall in the ECC in assists. Blaise is a one time ECC Baden Offensive Player of the Week as well as the (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) NCAA Division II men’s soccer ECAC Offensive Player of the Week."

Blaise’s latest moment of glory this year was in the beginning of this month. And what a time for him to end a year with this quote from Courtney again on December 1,2006 "University of Bridgeport’s men soccer senior forward Blaise Njie was selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) 2006 All North Region Second team.

Njie who was recently named to the 2006 Daktronics All Northeast Region Second team (An awards voted on by the region’s Sports Information Directors, was Purple Knights top forward this season. The second team all conference performer led the team in assists with six and was second on the squad in goals with four."