The much awaited film produced by Afrinity Productions entitled ‘London Maga’ was Sunday premiered in a grand style at a local hotel.

The premiere of this latest movie was fully sponsored by the President of The Gambia, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh.

‘London Maga’ is a drama gingered with little comedy, prologue and acting based on one of the disturbing issues in Africa. It is a societal movie that explained the desperation of the youth with their nerve of travelling overseas for success.

According to the storyline of ‘London Maga,’ a talented radio presenter called Adamu took advise of a fellow presenter to travel Europe with the belief that his talent would be more appreciated there. He became anxious and desperate that he refused to listen to other pieces advice from friends and family, as he called them ‘enemies of progress.’

Without much ado, he made his decision; gave up his lucrative job and sold his properties to raise money for his ticket to Europe. Adamu finally made it to London but the rest story remains for you to find out.

The 80-minute movie was produced by Adam Wilfred and co-directed by Adam Wilfred and Loft Goshien. It was acted in English language in different locations – United Kingdom and The Gambia.

Speaking prior to the airing of the movie, Momodou C Joof, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, who represented the minister of Tourism and Culture on behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic, thanked Afrinity Productions for coming up with such an educative and informative story.

The movie, he revealed touched a vital issue, ‘back way’ (irregular migration) syndrome, which he noted is affecting the society.

As the story depicted, the permanent secretary said, some youths have embarked on illegal journey to western countries and are facing some unfortunate scenarios as some died in the sea, and desert and those that were able to make it to Europe are facing some unbearable conditions.

PS Joof advised the youth to tap the many opportunities that exist in country.

He therefore congratulated the producer and his entire team for a job well done.

The producer and director of the film, Adams Wilfred thanked His Excellency the President for sponsoring the premiere of the film. He as well expressed appreciation for the support and efforts of his family, entire crew and many others for the production of the movie.

by Yunus S Saliu – Daily Observer

The chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday unveiled a newly instituted five-member interim body for West Coast Regional Sports Committee.

The committee that is mandated to oversee the affairs of the regional body will serve for two months before going to congress. The committee will be chaired by Abdoul Karim Sey; Bakary Touray as vice chairperson and Awa Jawla, Bakary Bojang and Sunkaru Sanyang as members.

The terms of reference mandated the new committee to investigate the internal problems within the regional committee; monitor the operations and activities of the Brikama Youth and Sports Association (BYSA) Normalisation Committee with a view to resolve the lingering impasse; organise an elective congress to elect executive members for the regional sports committee within two months and any other matter that the Council may assign them.

The chairman of the Council, Lamin King Colley quoted the NSC Act which was enacted on the 14th December 2000 on section 16 (2) which states that; the Divisional Sports Committee shall be under the control, supervision and direction of the Council.

“The regional sports committee failed the task that they were given to do; members were divided within themselves and another group came up to counter the decision that was made by one of the executive [members] in their region; the president and some members,” he said.

He further quoted the Council’s act which says that all the Divisional Sports Committees shall carry out other functions as delegated to them by the Council. He defended their decision, which he said is dictated by the act, adding that based on powers vested on them, it was deemed necessary to dissolve the committee because “we can’t work with the association and we set up a committee that will monitor and regularize them.” King Colley vowed to defend the acts of the constitution without fear or favour.

Ebou Secka, the programme manager for National Sports Associations at the NSC said it was necessary for the Council to set an example if they are to deter future occurrences of leadership impasses within national associations. He said the Committee failed to cooperate as a team and work according to the mandate imposed to them by the National Sports Council Act.

Abdoul Karim Sey promised that his committee would do everything they could to help to regularise sports in the region. He thanked the Council for the trust and confidence they have in them to look into the problems happening in the region. He swore to work without fear or favour.

Source: Daily Observer

Middlesbrough winger Mustapha Carayol says it is the “right time” in his career to commit his international future to the Gambia.

Carayol, 26, is back to full fitness after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury which had kept him out for 13 months.

Last month he signed a two-year extension to his contract at Middlesbrough, having been on loan at Brighton, and he says he is now focused on establishing himself as an international with the Gambia.

“I’ve got quite a lot of support there already and I’ve not even played so hopefully I can live up to the hype when I do play and make a lot of people happy”

“I think it’s been a long time coming, I’ve had a few times when they’ve invited me but it wasn’t the right time for myself and my family,” Carayol told BBC Africa Sport.

“A few of the times I’ve had a little injury. So I didn’t really want to come and perform half heartedly. I feel like it’s the right time in my career now,” Carayol explained.

Carayol, who was born in Banjul, is targeting an appearance for The Scorpions in the forthcoming qualifiers for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Obviously I’ve spoken to them. I’m looking forward to the official invite and look forward to representing the Gambia in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.

“All my family’s Gambian, so everyone’s excited and I’m going to have a lot of pressure when I do get the chance to play.

“But for me, it’s the experience of a professional footballer to go and represent your country. I’ve got quite a lot of support there already and I’ve not even played so hopefully I can live up to the hype when I do play and make a lot of people happy.”

The Gambia have been drawn in Group M of the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers, along with South Africa, Cameroon and Mauritania.

Despite facing formidable opposition, Carayol believes his country can cause an upset by qualifying for the 2017 finals to be held in Gabon in two years’ time.

“I always see challenges as something you can overcome and that’s why they put challenges in front of you.

“At least even if we don’t qualify, everyone can be proud of us and say that we gave it a right go.

“But for me personally, I’m looking more forward to the challenge of playing international football.”

The Gambia’s first 2017 Nations Cup qualifier is against South Africa next month.

Before that, Carayol is concentrating on helping Middlesbrough’s bid for promotion to the Premier League. The club have a 2-1 advantage over Brentford going into the home leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

“The boys are really confident. Keep my fingers crossed and hopefully we can get over the line and I can be a Premier League player next year.”

If Carayol does reach the Premier League with Middlesbrough, he may well come up against other African icons such as Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba – players who have made their name in England’s top flight.

“They’re massive role-models because as a young African player, you always look towards the people that you can actually relate to.

“Obviously I’ve not had the chance to play internationals yet, but I’ve spoken to a few close friends of mine.

“Albert Adomah who’s at Middlesbrough – who represented Ghana at the World Cup – and Yannick Bolasie who’s a really close friend of mine who represented DR Congo in the Africa Nations Cup just gone.

“And they’ve all told me good things about playing African football, so I’m excited. I can’t wait to get the chance to go and kick a ball out there and show everyone what I can do.”

Source: BBC Sports