Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) yesterday presented a cheque for D30,000 (thirty thousand dalasis) to The Gambia Football Association (GFA), at a presentation ceremony held at the council's headquarters in Kanifing. The fund was meant to procure medicaments for the Scorpions ahead of their much anticipated return-leg encounter against Mauritania in the 2009 local Nations Cup qualifier competition.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pa Kalifa Sanyang, public relations officer, who doubles as head of human resources at the Kanifing Municipal Council, said that modern-day football is so expensive that the football associations cannot foot the bills alone.

He said the council's intervention came on the heels of a request made by The Gambia Football Association for an assistance.

"To be precise, we had a request from the GFA to help them. We did not hesitate to respond positively because we see it as another way of contributing our quota towards national development," he sighed.

Yasupha Sanyang, deputy mayor of KMC, acknowledged the council's contributions to many national ventures, including sports, the development of which is crucial in any country.

While assuring the beneficiaries of the council's open-door policy, Sanyang also implored them to use the money for the intended purpose.

Duwa Jatta, director of administration, who deputised for KMC chief executive officer, said that modern-day sports had gone beyond the limits of entertainment and health purposes, noting that the trade is becoming a big business in the world.

Kalifa Manneh, head of medical team, on behalf of the Gambia Football Association, heaped praises on the Kanifing Municipality for the kind and timely support. He promised that the amount would be put into good use.

The treasurer at The Gambia Football Association, Kemo Ceesay, expressed similar sentiments, noting that other stakeholders should emulate the benevolent gesture of the Kanifing Municipal Council.