Tanje to host second regional open water swimming

Author- FATOUMATTA SAHO

In their drive to decentralize the sport of swimming across the country, the Gambia Swimming and Aquatic Sports Association will organized its second regional open water swimming competition in Tanjai west coast region on the Saturday 21 of April 2012. The competition is open for male and female swimmers above the age of 14 years.

According to the Secretary General of the Association, Yoro Njie, this competition is purely restricted to swimmers living in the region, noting that other regions will equally have their chance to select their best swimmers for the national open water championship 2012.

Mr. Njie added that the interested swimmers should call the technical committee members and register, as late registration will not be considered.

He revealed that open water is both for the youngsters and old people in FINA's disciplines.

The aim and objectives of the competition, he said is to bring together all the swimmers in every region to demonstrate their marathon swimming skills, as this will help the association to scout out for good open water swimmers for the national open water team. “This will expand the membership of the association in all the regions, in anticipation of creating mass participation in swimming”.

“We also want to promote, encourage, organize and develop Open Water Swimming and other related aquatic activities in all the different regions of The Gambia, he said.

He said the championship will bust the morale and instill confidence and encourage in the young Gambians that love our beaches, Sunday beaches in particular, as this will reduce the number of deaths, fatal accidents registered during Sunday beach events and other beach activities.

The regional competition he said will provide opportunities for specialized marathon swimmers to start competing at the standardized FINA open water competition rules and regulations.

In Beijin, he said, swimming will be the fifth sport under the guardianship of the international swimming federation to join the Olympic family when the inaugural 10km marathon swim unfolds on August 20, 2008, but the journey actually began in ancient times.

GTTA identify youngsters for Sweden best table tennis camp

Author- FATOUMATTA SAHO

The Hopes championship tournament organized by the Gambia Table Tennis Association was meant to Identify two youngsters who were born in 2001,the championship was played among eleven male participated in a round robin competition of ten matches, out of which one was selected while five female contested out of which one was selected through their performance.

Fatou Gassam a grade 6 student of Bakau Newtown Primary and Ebou Sowe a grade 5 student of Bakau Newtown Primary made it though after battling it out with other students from different schools.

Speaking to this reporter, the technical director of table tennis, Mr. Surakatu Adebayo Gafar Abdoul, revealed that Ebou Sowe and Fatou Gassama were identified by the association after they champion the various categories male and female, noting that the two athletes have been duly registered for the Hopes Program and hoping that they will be selected for the next stage of the championship, which is due in June in Sweden.

Mr Adebayo added that the athletes will be camp among other athletes worldwide to compete where the best young tennis players would be identified and that they would later be sponsored by the International Table Tennis Federation, and be prepared for the future.

The technical director also revealed that the cost of finance for the two athletes would be finance by the association for the championship.

Ivorian Gambian sets sails for his R&B Salsa career in The Gambia

Denzy Sosseh is the late Laba Sosseh's son who have spent most of his life in Ivory Coast, came back home two years ago to spread his late father legacy. Three months ago he released a brand new single titled “Amore” which literaly means Love in spanish. Denzy disclosed that he is back in his fatherland for good to continue what his late father (Laba Sosseh) has started and added that in 2004 he released an album called “ONE” in Senegal with the late Laba Sosseh, who was the lead vocalist of African Jazz Band. Denzy have performed in many shows and concerts in Toulouse, France, Burkina Faso, Gunea Conakry and other African countries and has met with Africa's music heavyweights like Alpha Blonde, Magic System, Vivian Ndure, DJ Awadi, Saikouba Bambino and the likes.

Denzy Sooseh also known as the king of Latino R&B is a graduate and has studied English and Spanish language in Cocody university, Abidjan. His second album is intended to pay homage to his late father who was his mentor. He seeks  for support from his Excellency, the president of the republic, music lovers and investors.

Akon thanks mom for kepping him in prison

Hip-Hop R&B star Akon has thanked his mother for refusing to bail him out of jail following his arrest in 1998, insisting spending six months behind bars "saved" his life.
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam widely known as Akon was taken into custody during a federal sting operation on 18 November 1998 after allegedly running an illegal car theft ring.
Recalling the day of his arrest during a VH1 Behind the Music special, which aired in America on Wednesday 11Apr12, he said, "Cars came from every direction, cops yelling, 'Get out of the car! Get down, get down, hands on your head!'" Akon, then 25, was subsequently charged with fraud and grand theft auto and hauled off to the Dekalb County Jail in Decatur, Georgia.
Akon's parents were outraged to find out about their son's criminal ways, and his Senegal-born mom, Kine Thiam, decided to teach him a lesson by forcing him to "sit there and figure it out".
His mother said, "Nobody in my family ever go to jail. I let him sit there for six months and I did it on purpose, because if you figure six months is too long, well if you end up for six years, or longer, you see what it's gonna be like".
And while Akon was less than grateful at the time, it gave the Lonely singer an opportunity for intense soul searching.
He explained, "Me getting locked (up) is what saved my life. That's when I realized, 'What the f**k am I doing trying to be wealthy, when it ultimately means nothing because my family is suffering because I'm in here, my friends are suffering - more than anything I'm suffering. (I prayed), 'God if you let me out of this situation, I will never, ever be in this position ever again. I promise you I will not let you down.'"
Luckily, due to a legal glitch, prosecutors were forced to drop all charges against the artist, and Akon embarked on a more ethical way to make his fortune "That's when the turning point became, 'Now, let's focus on music and let's put as much energy into this music as I would on the street.'"

Wrestling Congress ends in commotion

Author- FATOUMATTA SAHO (TODAY Newspaper)

The Gambia Wrestling Association congress ended in commotion after the outgoing executives term in office reports were adopted by the members of the association before the executives was dissolved by the National Sports Council, Mamudou Max Jallow at the Independence Stadium friendship hostel conference hall.

The congress which was attended by cross section of wrestlers and wrestling clubs across the country ended in commotion when it was time to elect the new executives in to office. It was first said that two club members have the right to vote, later it was announced that even the club members should also vote, election proceedings was on the process until another thing interrupted the election. The outgoing president Matarr Jarju said that according to their constitution, a promoter cannot be part of the executives, while the aspiring presidential candidate Abdoulie Bojang alias Ablo who was the vice president of the association said that there was nowhere in their constitution where it was mentioned that a promoter cannot be a part of the executives.

The incumbent president Matarr Jarju whom many believes surrender his position to allow others to lead the affairs of wrestling, to the surprise of many stood again when he was elected by some of the club members and he accepted the post.

The executive secretary of the national sports council, Mamudou max Jallow said that the reason why they postponed the election of the new wrestling executives was due to the fact they the wrestling association did not have their house in other "and that is why we are giving them two weeks to put everything in place before the next congress".

According to Mr Jarju he accepted to stood for the presidency again, claiming that his vice president Abdoulie Bojang alias Ablo is not the right person to run the affairs of wrestling in the country, noting that a promoter cannot be a member of their executives which is in their constitution.

He used the opportunity to called on all wrestling clubs in the country who did not register with the wrestling association to come on board and register before the two weeks given by the National Sports Council ends. “Clubs that are supposed to register will consist of seven wrestlers who must pay their licence fee of D250 before they become bona fide members of the Association.

For the aspiring presidential candidate Abdoulie Bojang who was disappointed with the way things unfold at the congress said there is nowhere in their constitution where it is written that a promoter cannot be part of the executive.

He added that his President Matarr Jarju already stepped down and that was why he came up to stand for the position, only for him to see Mr. Jarju stood up again after he was elected.

National Cricket team set for division 3 World cricket Cup league

Author- FATOUMATTA SAHO (TODAY Newspaper)

The Gambia Cricket national team set to take part in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup cricket league division 3 due this month April in South Africa. The Gambia alongside Zambia, Rwanda, Cecil, St. Helina, Morocco, Lesotho and Mali will battled it out at the competition.

The sixteen man delegation led by team manager Malamin Fofana and ICC level three coach Johnny Gomez took off today Wednesday 18^th April 2012 via Senegal to South Africa.

Speaking to this reporter,the president of the cricket association who doubles as the head coach of the national team Johnny Gomez revealed that the team will have a one week camping in the High performance school in Pictoria, South Africa ahead of the competition.

Coach Gomez believe that things will happen this time around with the level of preparation that the team will have ahead of the competition compared to previous competitions, noting they will qualified from division 3 to division 2 with the right man stepping in. “ We are just coaches and the work has to be done by the players in the field, they have to be confident, bold because its T20 and they have to take that risk and play properly, we have been training with them having tactical discussion every night”.

He also revealed that they have been training with 19 players and ended up selecting 14 players which is the required number to take part in the competition, since they cannot all participate though it was difficult but at the end of the day we had to select the people who can play the T20 version.

He further revealed that Gambia National Olympic committee has given us D15, 000 dalasis to add to our budget as we are also looking forwards to our sponsors to come on board before the day. “Everything has been done and we are waiting for the participation fee to be paid by the government and we will be on the way because all the arrangements has been done”.

GAMYAA, NCAC held a forum to cement ties with the arts

Following the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of World Theatre Day, The Gambia Youth Actors Association backed by the national centre for arts and culture on Wednesday 28 March held a forum on The Gambia’s theatre and drama at Alliance Franco, with the theme: Taking Theatre into the Streets. The objective of the forum is to create a platform and build a common understanding between all stakeholders in the area of theatre and drama to come together and work hand in hand with the national centre for arts and culture in their drive to build a more viable and productive artistic industry as opposed to the many years of its existence.

Speaking at the forum, the chairman of arts and culture Mr. Tijan Camara on his part commended the young actors and challenged them including the theatre groups and other stake holders to take the lead role in making drama and theatre where it suppose to be rather than waiting for the arts council to implement projects. “It is not the responsibility of the NCAC to implement programs but rather to act as facilitators” he added that, that is why different arts groups and associations come together to organize themselves as an organized body so that the arts council can come in guide them and connect them to enhance their networking in getting the funds they need to implement their own programs. “If you organize yourselves definitely you should be running your own shows and then we will just be facilitating you, but then again this can be done through unity, understanding, cooperation and allowing one to lead while the others follow”. Mr. Camara further lamented that, though the arts council was mandated to be implementing and but their strategy as a new management is to change it to being facilitators instead of implementing or executing programs, because that is the only way to push the theatre and drama in this country and the arts council don’t have all the hands to accomplish everything on their own.

The forum which has attracted many young people from schools, art communities, drama and theatre groups, producers and other walks of life, gave an opportunity to learn about the history of drama and theatre in The Gambia to the surprise of many. Alhaji Sering Secka, one of the founding fathers of Banjul Drama Society formed in the 50s and the producer of “Rebellion” gave a rundown of the history of drama and theatre in The Gambia which goes way back in the 1920s in Bathurst when the level of illiteracy was very high and the colonial pessimists were at work to discourage the African cultural expression especially in many aspects of the mode of dressing and languages which the colonialist termed as uncivilized. “If we are not careful we will go out of track” he emphasized.

He further lamented on the importance of theatre and the achievements registered in those days with the inception of the Ladies Guild of Grace Drama Group, which was officially formed in 1924 has helped promote Gambian culture, arts and trade through drama and theatre to inform, educate and entertain the masses. According to Alh. Secka, in 1938 the guild raised funds for the refurbishment and extension of the Anglican school in Banjul, and sponsored girls in school. “During colonial day, politicians used to have drama groups to create awareness”

The new director of literature and performing arts, NCAC, Sheikh Omar Jallow on his part, assured the participants from the art community that the notion of arts council not doing nothing is gone, a new management is now handling the affairs with a new strategy and portfolio and are ready to throw their weight on anyone who have a project towards the betterment of performing arts or arts in general in this country. “I was one of those sitting on the other side wanting to see to it that the Gambian arts get to another level” said Mr. Jallow. He further explained that the NCAC’s target for this year is to create a gainful way of employment and that he will use his office to make that happen. “My target is to create 500 jobs, and I want all the theatre groups to move from theatre groups’ to theatre companies”. He further praised the Gambia Youth Actors Association for this laudable initiative and went on to say that he will see to it that 27^th of every month there will be such a forum like to assess the progress of things.

Oko Drammeh, arts and entertainment connoisseur /veteran Gambian music promoter dilated on the factors affecting the country’s arts and entertainment players. Mr. Drammeh pointed out that the lack of artistic knowledge and spiritual content embedded in the Gambian works of art especially theatre and music scene, is one of the key factors drawing the artist community back. He further lamented that there should be cultural ingredients in the works suitable for the international market.

Heewal Bureau Du Change gave Hip Hop Headz a tap on the back

Heewal Bureau Du Change on sunday on sunday 25^th March held a meeting with Hip Hop Headz at their Kairaba avenue branch to express their delight in associating Hip Hop Headz, a Hip Hop movement trying to sensitise the young people to have a firm grip and a thorough understanding of Hip Hop music and culture as opposed to nowadays RAP.
Mr. Lamin Saho, the marketing manager of Heewal Bureau Change deputising the Managing Director on his part commended the movement for their laudable initiative which is to sensitise and promote the positive side of Hip Hop which is most lacking in the country. In order to flip the script, he added “Its a matter of pushing it forward and we are ready to stand behind you” said Mr Saho. It is quite evident that the Gambian music scene was triggered by the Hip Hop music and it has reached a level where most acts in The Gambia are misrepresenting the genre in the name of Gambian music, which in the long run will not help in the development of the genre and will undermine the morale of the young people.
Ousman Cham widely known as Ous T, the president of the movement gave his heartfelt gratitude to be a partner with Heewal Bureau Du Change in the development of Hip hop music in The Gambia. He said Hip Hop Headz is a movement which consists of Artists, journalists, promotional bodies, record producers, Hip Hop lovers with the sole objective to continue the tradition of real Hip Hop in a more respectable manner and in accordance with our values. Ous T further explained that Hop bears an undelible mark on the country's youthful population, and that prompted the movement to strive towards creating more awareness about Hip Hop in the Gambia to serve as a sustainable income generator for the youthful population. Sanna Kanteh also known as Brotha Z,  showed sincere appreciation to Heewal Bureau for their all out willingness to partner with Hip Hop Headz in their drive to resurface the definition of Hip Hop Music.culture.

Celebrating the Kora

The indigenous Gambian 21 string harp known as the kora, which is embraced in many parts of the world is the key musical instrument that is identical to the to The Gambia and its cultural heritage. Kora which originated from Sanementereng in the West Coast region of the Gambia is becoming a product reaching its climax of its life cycle and it has come to the attention of Mr. Oko Drammeh, an African music impresario who was behind many concerts and the African Music Festival in Holland and Hollywood since the 80s promoting African cultural music; is craving to revive, restore and preserve the traditional values of Kora for future generation.

It is said that, of all the instruments that has helped define traditional African music, none may be more iconic than the signature musical instrument of West Africa, Kora. This year in the recorded history of Gambian music, starting from April 25, Kora musicians from different cultures and countries of all the continents will pay homage to the unique 21 string harp in Brikama at the first International Kora Festival for a two week musical and cultural events organized by Mr. Oko Drammeh. The ministry of Tourism and Culture and the National Centre for Arts Culture has also chipped in to support the initiave and urged all stakeholders to partner with this laudable initiative in anyway possible, for it has tremendous potentials to generate revenue, create employment for young people and serve as a fertile ground for the preservation, promotion and development of the Kora traditions of The Gambia. Kora griots, traditional troubadours and historians known as the Jalis of The Gambia will be the focal point of the festival and the role of Kora elders as the staff-bearers of the legacy of the Kora instrument and the empires behind the instrument. According to Oko Drammeh the festival director, The festival will cover a two week program including a conference,film night, lectures, seminar, traditional music performances, symposium, workshop, festival stage and art market place to be held in different locations: The University of The Gambia, The Gambia College, Sun Swing Hotel hall, Museum of The Gambia, Arch 22, Brikama Stadium and the Alliance Franco Gambienne all geared towards turning Brikama into world's Kora capital and thus reviving the indigenous Gambian 21 string harp and the pride and dignity of Kora griots in boosting their sense of ownership of the instrument's heritage.

Speaking to journalists last week at the Alliance Franco Gambienne, Mr. Drammeh, said due to the national assembly elections in the country and the elections in Senegal, and the upheavals in Mali and Guinea Bissa, the festival was rescheduled to better suite those coming from those part of the world. Drameh who place much importance on the promotion of African culture added few brush strokes to the painting “due to the declining nature and fading away of kora players, especially the children of kora griots who are now engaged in finance, trade and other jobs because of the lack of financial benefits and respect for being a kora player I decided to come up with the Kora festival” he said. He further appealed to the general public to dress Gambian for two weeks during the festival to make it a memorable and milestone event in the history of the Gambia.

The international reknown kora player/teacher based in France, Jali Saiku Sawo on behalf of the kora griots told journalists that they are very much elated and grateful to Oko Drammeh for the wonderful idea of innaugrating the re-birth of the Kora instrument. Jali Saiku Sawo, further explained that the kora is from Sanementereng, The Gambia and recalled from history by saying that “even the first kora festival held in Mali in 1988 was won by a Gambian living in Mali ” In light of that fact and the nature of the present kora industry, they will do ehat ever it takes to make the festival a memorable and exciting one.

The NCAC which also took pride in associating with the first International Kora Festival and welcomed the idea to sell The Gambia to the world.The director of literature, performing and fine arts, NCAC Sheihk Omar Jallow further eched his statement “the kora is an indigenous instrument that is worthy to be promoted” and Martin Didier, the Director of Alliance Franco Gambienne expressed his delight over the festival “I am behind supporting culture and in the near future, i will be proud to associate myself with the kora” he said.

Sizzla reacts to the negativities as being homophobic

Sizzla Kalonji a Jamaican reggae artist has on 26 March 2012 released his statement for being constantly attacked and series of “attempts to sabotage or cancel his show in Sweden is a form of censorship against him and the musical genre”.  According to the release, false information are being written to malice and defame the Jamaican reggae icon's character.  Sizzla who just recovered from a horrific accident where he almost lost his life have not been arrested, convicted, or charged with any crime and does not have a criminal record or what so ever. He abides and will continue to abide by the laws of any State in the World that he chooses to visit or is invited to visit. The tour he intended to do  partly represent a thanks for the prayers and love from the millions of fans around the world who prayed for him to make a speedy recovery. Kalonji Musik and Pride music said it is a form of censorship and is designed to create maxim economic damage to the promoters, the artist, the staff, everyone involved in the construction of the tour, and the reggae industry at large.