The reason is simple, our sports sector was domant in the first republic because the authorities consider sports to be a mere activity of entertainment. But with The Gambia under President Jammeh, the story is the complete opposite. It is a common saying that 'all work no play makes Jack a dull boy'. This fact also stands for nations. A hard working nation has to find time to enable its people refresh and keep up the momentum. The realisation of such a need has made the government to prioritize sports, particularly football, in the country, as a fuel for our already existing collectivism in national development. 

The tremendous contributions of His Excellency, the president in the field of sports, cannot be over-emphasised. From the under-17 to the gallant senior scorpions, every Gambian has seen for themselves the support rendered by the president in making this noble field a profitable enterprise for the nation. From financial to moral support, President Jammeh has been in the forefront to ensure that The Gambia realises her ambitions in sports. This explains why the president allcoated plots of land to our national Under-17 team after their briliant position in Peru, one million dalasi to each of the last under-17 player after their success at the African under-17 championship in Algeria, just to mention a few.

This move by the president has only provided for the desired unity in the country, particularly among those who are the backborne of the nation - the youth, but also ignited the interest, motivation and self-belief Gambians have in sports, football in particular. Thousands of Gambian spectators could now be seen storming the stadium or watching television national teams in action. Such a common atmosphere in conjunction with our physical and moral capabilities undoubtedly provides for a natural existence of unity and strength in the country's common development investments; as the true value of sports brings together families, friends and relatives to achieve a common goal in a way that no other human activity can.

 The success of our boys in Algeria and their marvelous perfomance in Peru earlier are clear testimonies of this fact. This is what the president realises, and is certainly moving towards that direction.  As we celebrate the victories of our team, we all stand together as Gambians in pursuit of a common goal. Such activities provide a common bond among people that can easily propel the achievement of a desired objective.  The upholding of sports as a national priority by the government therefore deserves greater applause. This will not only go a long way in cementing unity among the people but also expidite our development drive particularly the economy and infrastructure.

The country is blessed with a youthful leader who devotes keen interest in sports. President Jammeh's efforts in assisting the boys with the necessary support, motivation and inspiration, with the aid of God led us to victory. His personal contribution to the success of the boys cannot be over-emphasized. 
It is therefore such success in our sports and a combination of other factors that is responsible for our chance to hosting the 2010 FIFA world cup trophy. The development is an indicator that the developments that The Gambia is registering in the field of sports are gaining international recorgnition. 

In fact the development came at a much better time; a time that our under-17 team is warming up for the Nigeria tourney. This could serve as a moral boost to them and any person who loves sports. We hope the sports authorities, the footballers and the general public at large will use the arrival of the world cup trophy in the country as a source of inspiration to boost their ambitions in sports.