By Momodou Jarju
National Assembly Members (NAMs) for Banjul north and central have heaped praise to the Banjul Sports Committee (BSC) for rekindling basketball in the capital following its dormant for years. The NAMs made the remarks in separate interviews with Star TV journalist Kassim Oscar on the sidelines of the BSC’s sponsored Inter Constituency Basketball Zonal Competition final held over the weekend which both lawmakers graced. Banjul Central defeated Banjul North 61-50 in the final played at the renowned Manneh Sillah Memorial lawn with Ousman Bojang of Banjul Central winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
The NAM for Banjul Central Abdoulie Njai hailed the BSC for diversifying sports in the capital saying the aforesaid competition would at least rekindle the sports atmosphere that Banjul used to be known for.
“Usually, from previous years, when we say sports, it’s just about football. But we’ve seen a big change when it comes to different disciplines being given the opportunity to showcase what they love doing. We’ve seen a lot of talents that could be harnessed from this,” he said.
Njai said as representatives they are engaging and will continue to link-up with sports stakeholders in Banjul to ensure the availability of a favourable environment with proper facilities for the youth to thrive and realise their talents.
“And we know that Banjul is full of talent. When you talk of sports, be it basketball, be it football, “Banjulians” have always been at the forefront when it comes to sport development. However, it has been in decline,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that though the Manneh Sillah facility has not been up to par, it’s at least usable. He said they ought to increase their advocacy to ensure such a centre is well equipped and properly managed as well as partner with the sports committee to ensure sports is rekindled and/or developed in Banjul.
“I think this is a good start from the committee. They’ve actually done a good job in making sure that they can do the basketball competitions,” he said while hoping that other disciplines like volleyball will follow suit.
The NAM for Banjul North Modou Lamin B. Bah also acknowledged the efforts done by the BSC to revitalise the once popular sport in the capital. He said it was sad that the game went quiescent for years but he was quick to note that tournaments like the aforementioned will engage youth into productive activities rather than engaging in drugs and the likes.
“So I will urge the Banjul Sport Committee to add up their efforts towards making sure that this will be continued. And for people like us, we are more than ready to support initiatives like this. We are more than ready to stand by them, to make sure that such initiatives are achieved so that we can at least play our role in terms of making sure that young people are into sports and also sports will be able to develop them in the future.
“Because one thing I will tell you, basketball is just like football. It’s one way out of poverty because if you play basketball…it can help you to even go up to the level of NBA. And when you are there, it will be something else. So we are encouraging the sports committee and we are also encouraging young people to come on board and be part of this important crusade so that they can be able to develop themselves and develop the community of Banjul and by extension the entire country,” the lawmaker said.
