For the first time in the history of Gambian Sports journalism, the long awaited national sports Awards of the sports Journalist Association of The Gambia was held on Wednesday 26th December at the Kairaba Beach Hotel with great success.

Organised by the Sports Journalist Association of the Gambia in collaboration with football Digest Newspaper, the event aimed to reward outstanding sports personalities for their immense contribution to sports development for the past year.

As part of the event, the programme attended by high profile dignitaries including the secretary of state Communication and Information Technology, Nenneh Macdouall –Gaye, Hon Marie Saine Firdaus, Attorney General and Secretary of sate for Justice witnessed the Awarding of eight outstanding sports personalities in The Gambia.

In her Keynote address on the occasion, Hon Nenneh Macdouall- Gaye, Secretary of State for Communication and Information  Technology described the event as an outstanding  one in the sense that it is not only concentrated in sports but also development oriented.

According to Secy Gaye, the national sports award will go a long way towards the development of sports in The Gambia and thus play a key role in the national development.

“Such recognition of sports personalities is unique. I must therefore commend Africell as major sponsors and other sponsors for their valuable contribution and commitment to the country’s development,” Secy Gaye asserted.

Also speaking earlier, the Secretary of state for Youths and Sports Hon Mass Axi Gye commended the Sports Journalist Association of The Gambia for the valuable contributions to sports development in The Gambia. He also encouraged them to make the award a continuous process.

Meanwhile, the awards for the various categories are as follows:

Most Promising Athlete - Fatou Tiyana
Best Company Supporter of Sports - Africell
Gambian Football player of the Year (Male) - Ousman Jallow
Gambian Football player of the Year (Female )- Yamoundow Jeng
Referee of the year (Male) - John Mendy
Referee of the year (Female) - Mariatou Jorbateh
Sports Administrator of the Year - Lamin King Colley
Football Club of the Year (Male) - Real De Banjul
Football Club of the Year (Female) - Red Scorpions
Newton team of the year - Macassa FC
Coach of the Year (Male) - Ebrima Manneh
Coach of the Year (Female) - Mariama Sowe
National Team of The Year - Football
Highest Individual sponsor of Gambian Sports - President Dr Alhagie Yahya Jammeh
Leading Goal Scoreer (Male) - Modou Ngum
Leading Goal Scoreer (Female) - Veronic Malack
Disable Athlete of the Year (male) - Yahya Bah
Disable Athlete of the Year (Female) - Jamilatou  Jallow