Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, the vice president and minister of Women Affairs Friday received in her office at State House, Sokhna Thiam, a representative of the 'Elite Model Look' for West Africa.

Accompanied to State House by Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, minister of Tourism and Culture, Ms Thiam was at the vice president's office to introduce to her as well as seek her blessing and that of the Gambian leader, the forthcoming 2010 'Elite Model Look Contest', which is scheduled to take place in The Gambia on 10 July 2010.

Speaking to reporters shortly after a close-door session with the vice president, Ms Thiam explained that she came to meet the vice president to brief her about their plans to stage in The Gambia for the first time, the 'Elite Model Look Contest', which she described as the most glamorous and greatest model contest in the world organised in all the five continents.

She disclosed that the event is in its 28th year and was organised in Senegal in 2008, the first time it was hosted by a West African country. "With the support of our governments, we decided to stage this mega model contest in The Gambia this time around so that we can expose the country as a potential tourist destination as it is organised in almost all the five continents and broadcasted in all international media in the world. It will also give opportunity to all young girls especially for those who want to take international modelling and fashion as a career," she said.

Ms Thiam revealed that the five lucky winners will have a two-year contract with 'Elite Model Look' with a cash amount US$375,000 to continue their studies as well as international fashion career. She explained that the event is open to all girls in this country and that the best 12 selected girls will participate in the grand final in The Gambia, during which three girls will be chosen to represent the country in a regional final which will attract other participants from countries like Senegal, Cape Verde, and The Gambia. She added that the regional final will be held in the Senegalese city of Dakar. For his part, Mambanyick Njie, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, welcomed the move saying he was elated when he was informed about the proposed event.

He stated that any initiative brought forward to enhance the welfare of youths is something that needs to be supported. "It is generally agreed that young people are eventually going to be handed the baton of leadership and in order to do that, they need to prepare," he said. He stressed that it is a good initiative, particularly given the age bracket (18-23), more so the event is about employment and job creation and would also expose the young people to their cultural norms and values. He then challenged the young people to make the best use of the opportunity, saying government cannot provide employment for all the young people in the country.

Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, the minister of Tourism and Culture, equally welcomed the initiative, noting that Elite Model Look is the world's unique springboard for talents. "It will give the girls equal opportunities for them to actually develop their modelling career," she said, adding that the event is open to all girls within the required age.