The Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday afternoon, received at State House a certificate of appreciation frommembers of the National Veteran Footballers Association, in recognition of his invaluable contribution, over th years, to the development of Gambian sports, particularly football.

Professor Jammeh also received a gift of a football and a jersey of the national football team from the veterans. The members who further took a significant step in honouring the Gambian leader as the chief patron of their association, also presented him with two trophies which were won by them during their two international friendly matches against their Senegalese counterparts, late last year.

Speaking at a meeting held at State House, Professor Jammeh, after consenting to being the association's chief patron, expressed gratitude to the veterans for their role in the course of national development, saying, "being old should not be seen as an excuse for non-participation in the country's development endeavours." But, he said, veterans can also utilise their skills in the course of national development. Professor Jammeh added that the veterans have a great role to play in modelling of youngsters in football, with a view to further accelerating the development strives in the game.

He then revealed his objective of ensuring that The Gambia becomes the first or second African country to lift the World Cup. The Gambian leader however expressed disappointment and dismay for the failure of Gambians to render support to the national teams. He recalled some instances when the Independence Stadium was empty during some important matches, calling for change among Gambians, particularly the youth folk. For a team to win, President Jammeh added, they need to gain maximum support from fans, and he added: "support during home matches will have a great psychological impact on players."

The Gambian leader went on to hail the veterans for their involvement in the regional integration through the medium of sports, describing it as laudable. Reciprocating their gesture with a sum of over D200,0000, the Gambian leader assured the veterans of his full support and promised to work closely with them in achieving their objectives. He then used the opportunity to call on other veterans of various sporting disciplines to emulate the veteran footballers in the quest for sports development.

For his part, Amadou Touray, president of the association, informed the Gambian leader that this association came into existence in March 1993 with a view to doing their quota in the development efforts of Gambian football. Touray told the Gambian leader about their objectives, among them complementing the efforts of government and the Gambia Football Association in achieving a common objective in football. "Among the association's objectives are to encourage and train young Gambians in football, as well as promoting health among themselves," he indicated.

The veteran footballer used the platform to commend President Jammeh for his unprecedented achievements both in the country and outside. He also used the occasion to inform the president about the association's turn to host the sub-regional veteran footballers' tournament in The Gambia. He stated that the event will coincide with the 15th anniversary of July 22 Revolution. And on behalf of the association, he expressed condolences to the Gambian leader over the demise of his late aunt.

Charles Thomas, the administrative adviser of the association, told the Gambian leader that their move in creating the association was also based on the fact that football in The Gambia was very dormant at the time of their retirement. "As veterans at that time, we had a role to lay in reinforcing the game in the country," he said.

He expressed the association's untiring resolve to scout young talents and to develop them technically, materially as well as financially. For his part, Sheriff Gomez, secretary of state for Youth and Sports, hailed the association for their role in giving weight to Gambian football. He expressed his department's plan to attain President Jammeh's dream for excellence in sports.

He further revealed plans by his department to bring all stakeholders in sports on board, in ensuring that The Gambia participates better in any international sporting competition. For Marie Saine Firdaus, Attorney General and secretary of state for Justice, the association's objective of gluing regional peace is laudable. Fatou Lamin Faye, secretary of state for Basic and Secondary Education, also hailed the association for promoting regional integration through sports. She expressed her department's readiness to reinforce sports in the education sector.